YouTube thumbnail resizer
Choose an image and download it at exactly 1280 × 720 pixels, the size YouTube recommends for thumbnails. Crop to fill fills the frame and trims the edges; Fit the whole image keeps everything and fills the gaps with a blurred copy or a colour. The resizing happens in your browser, so your image isn't uploaded.
YouTube's thumbnail requirements
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 3840 × 2160 recommended; 1280 × 720 is the usual size (minimum width 640 pixels) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| File size | Up to 50 MB from a computer, 2 MB from the phone app |
| Formats | JPG or PNG |
Custom thumbnails need a verified YouTube account. If you don't see the upload option in Studio, verify your phone number first.
JPG or PNG?
Download a JPG. A 1280 × 720 JPG is usually a few hundred KB, so it uploads from the YouTube app too, where the limit is still 2 MB. A PNG with a photo in it can go over 2 MB, which works on desktop (up to 50 MB) but not from your phone. Source: YouTube's help page on custom thumbnails.
Other sizes
The size menu also has the channel banner (2560 × 1440) and profile photo (800 × 800), plus sizes for every other platform. For all of them, see the social media image resizer.
Before you upload
Check how the thumbnail looks in the feed with the thumbnail tester, and get a quick score for contrast, colour and text size with the thumbnail rater.
Common questions
What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?
16:9, at least 1280 × 720. YouTube now recommends 3840 × 2160. See YouTube thumbnail size.
What is the file size limit for thumbnails?
Up to 50 MB when you upload in YouTube Studio on a computer, and 2 MB from the phone app.
Is the resizer free?
Yes. It runs in your browser, with no upload and no watermark.
Can it make a Shorts thumbnail?
Use the social media image resizer for 1080 × 1920, or ClipFlame's Shorts thumbnail maker to design one with your face.