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EnglishYouTube thumbnail size
Every requirement for regular video and Shorts thumbnails on one page – straight from YouTube Help. Plus a check for your file right here.
Source: YouTube Help on thumbnails. Limits may vary by country/region and channel history.
Will your file work?
Add your thumbnail and we’ll check its size, aspect ratio, file size and format against YouTube’s requirements. The file never leaves your browser.
The check runs right in your browser – turn on JavaScript to use it.
Thumbnails for videos and Shorts
The bigger the source, the sharper the thumbnail on large screens. For podcast playlists YouTube recommends a 1:1 square, and you can upload up to 10 MB for them from a phone.
What YouTube covers
In the feed, parts of the thumbnail sit under badges and buttons. Keep faces, objects and text inside the safe zone.
- Safe zone – everything important: the face, the object and 2–4 words
- Bottom-right corner – the video length
- Top-right corner – “Watch later” and “Add to queue” buttons on hover on desktop
- Bottom edge – the progress bar on videos the viewer has already opened
How small viewers see your thumbnail
Upload big, check small. On-screen sizes are approximate – they depend on the device and browser window.
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Write a review →Frequently asked questions
Everything about thumbnail sizes: YouTube’s requirements for videos and Shorts, uploading in Studio and why an image might not fit.
What’s the best YouTube thumbnail size?
For regular videos, 16:9. YouTube recommends uploading thumbnails as large as possible, up to 3840×2160; 1280×720 or larger is the usual size for a sharp image. Anything narrower than 640 px won’t upload.
What size should a Shorts thumbnail be?
9:16: YouTube recommends 2160×3840, with a 640 px minimum height. Custom Shorts thumbnails can only be set in YouTube Studio on a computer.
Should I save my thumbnail as JPG or PNG?
Both work. A high-quality JPG is smaller and fits almost every case; PNG is better when the thumbnail has lots of small text and sharp lines. Just stay within the size limit: 2 MB in the app, 50 MB on desktop.
Why does my thumbnail look blurry?
The uploaded image was small or heavily compressed. Start from 1280×720 or larger and save the JPG at high quality.
What size are thumbnails from the Bloggers.tools generator?
JPG: a horizontal thumbnail is 1920×1080, a vertical one for Shorts is 1080×1920. Both meet YouTube’s requirements. Learn more on the thumbnail generator page.
Why won’t YouTube accept my thumbnail?
Most often: the account isn’t verified, the file is over the limit (2 MB in the app, 50 MB on desktop), the image is narrower than 640 px, or it isn’t a JPG or PNG – check your file above. If YouTube says the daily limit is reached, try again in 24 hours: the number of custom thumbnails per day depends on your country and channel history, and strikes lower it.
How do I verify my account to use custom thumbnails?
In YouTube Studio – verifying with a phone number is usually enough. Without verification you can only pick one of the frames YouTube suggests.
Why does my vertical video show a different thumbnail on Home?
If a vertical video has a 16:9 custom thumbnail, on mobile YouTube replaces it with an auto-generated 4:5 thumbnail on the Home, Explore and subscription pages – that’s what YouTube Help says. Your thumbnail still shows in the watch feed, in watch history and on non-mobile platforms. Give vertical videos a vertical thumbnail.
Can I change the thumbnail after publishing?
Yes, at any time – in YouTube Studio, in the video’s details. A new thumbnail may take a while to appear on YouTube, and the number of custom thumbnail uploads per day is limited. To compare several options on real viewers, use YouTube Studio’s built-in A/B test on desktop – up to three thumbnails per video (not available for Shorts).
Thumbnails that fit YouTube’s specs
The Bloggers.tools generator delivers a 1920×1080 JPG for videos or 1080×1920 for Shorts – no need to check sizes and proportions.
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