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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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Was the size check useful?
Tell us whether it helped you get your thumbnail ready – we’ll publish your review on the site.
Write a reviewThumbnails that meet YouTube’s specs from the start
The Bloggers.tools generator delivers a 1920×1080 JPG for videos and a vertical 9:16 version for Shorts – both fit YouTube’s limits. Each thumbnail is based on the video’s subtitles and takes 3–5 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
How do I verify my account to use custom thumbnails?
In YouTube Studio – verifying with a phone number is usually enough.
What size are thumbnails from the Bloggers.tools generator?
A 1920×1080 JPG for videos and a vertical 9:16 version for Shorts – both meet YouTube’s requirements. Learn more on the thumbnail generator page.
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