How to resize an image for a YouTube thumbnail
- Select Choose files and pick your image, or drop it on the box.
- The tool fills a 1280 × 720 pixel frame, which is the 16:9 size YouTube recommends, cropping extra edges from the center.
- Select Download and upload it as your custom thumbnail in YouTube Studio.
Thumbnail basics
YouTube thumbnails are shown at 1280 × 720 pixels, a 16:9 shape. The file must be under 2 MB, and JPG, PNG and GIF are accepted. The tool outputs the same format you provide, and a JPG made from a screenshot is usually well under the limit.
Small elements are hard to read on phones, where thumbnails appear only about 150 pixels wide. Big faces, short text and strong contrast work best. Keep important text away from the bottom right corner, where YouTube shows the video length.
Tips
- Take screenshots from the video at full size, then drop them here for the exact 16:9 frame.
- If the file is above 2 MB, run it through the image compressor.
- Need another size, such as a banner or a custom shape? Use the image resizer.
- Square covers for social posts can be made with Resize image for Instagram.
- Photos from an iPhone may be in HEIC. Convert them with HEIC to JPG first.
Making thumbnails that get clicked
Creators usually design thumbnails at exactly 1280 × 720 so nothing is rescaled. Keep a safe margin around the edges, because some places crop slightly. Bright, high-contrast colors and a clear face help a thumbnail stand out in a crowded feed. Text should be large enough to read on a phone, ideally three to five words. After you resize, check the file is under 2 MB, which is the YouTube limit for custom thumbnails.
The image is processed in your browser and never uploaded. It takes a moment and does not need an account.