How to change a YouTube Shorts thumbnail
On this page
To change a YouTube Shorts thumbnail, open the Short in YouTube Studio on a computer, click the pencil icon, and under Thumbnail choose Upload thumbnail, then pick a 9:16 image (1080 × 1920 or larger). If you don't see the option yet, pick a frame in the YouTube app: tap the pencil on the thumbnail and slide to the frame you want.
Upload a Shorts thumbnail
- Go to studio.youtube.com and click Content, then the Shorts tab.
- Hover over the Short and click the pencil icon (Details).
- Under Thumbnail, click Upload thumbnail.
- Choose a 9:16 JPG or PNG. YouTube recommends 2160 × 3840; 1080 × 1920 works fine. Files can be up to 50 MB.
- Click Save.
Your channel needs to be verified to upload custom thumbnails. YouTube started rolling out custom Shorts thumbnails in July 2026, Partner Program channels first, and its help page says they can only be added in YouTube Studio on a computer. If you don't see the upload option on a Short, your channel doesn't have it yet.
Pick a frame in the YouTube app
- In the YouTube app, tap + and choose Create a Short, record or pick your video and tap Next.
- On the details screen, tap the pencil on the thumbnail preview.
- Slide to the frame you want and tap Done.
- Upload.
To change it later, open the Short from Your videos in the app, tap the pencil to edit, and pick a new frame.
Make the frame you pick worth picking
If you can only choose a frame, put a designed cover into the video as a short opening frame, then pick that frame as the thumbnail. Keep it brief so viewers in the feed don't see a still image.
Where the Shorts thumbnail shows
The Shorts feed plays the video straight away, so the thumbnail matters less there. It shows on your channel's Shorts tab, in search, in the Shorts shelf on the home page, and when someone shares the link. Those are the places people choose what to tap.
Make a Shorts thumbnail
ClipFlame's YouTube Shorts thumbnail maker designs 1080 × 1920 covers from your Short, with your face and a short headline kept in the middle of the frame.
Common questions
What size is a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?
9:16. YouTube recommends 2160 × 3840 pixels, at least 640 pixels tall; 1080 × 1920 is the common size. JPG or PNG, up to 50 MB. See YouTube thumbnail size.
Why can't I change my Shorts thumbnail?
Custom image uploads for Shorts are still reaching channels, and they only work in YouTube Studio on a computer, not in the app. Until yours has it, pick a frame in the YouTube app. Also check that your channel is verified.
Does the Shorts thumbnail affect views?
In the feed, barely. On your channel page, in search and in shares, it decides what people tap.