YouTube thumbnail guidelines

What isn't allowed

YouTube's thumbnails policy says not to use a thumbnail that shows:

• pornographic imagery;
• sexual acts, sex toys, fetishes or other sexually gratifying imagery;
• nudity, including genitals;
• imagery that depicts unwanted sexualisation;
• violent imagery meant to shock or disgust;
• graphic or disturbing imagery with blood or gore;
• vulgar or lewd language;
• anything that makes viewers think they're about to see something that isn't in the video.

YouTube notes the list isn't complete. The same rules cover banners, profile pictures, posts and every other image on YouTube. Exceptions are possible for educational, documentary, scientific or artistic content.

When YouTube restricts or removes a thumbnail

Some thumbnails don't break the guidelines but aren't right for everyone. YouTube may then age-restrict the video or remove the thumbnail, without a strike. It tells you, and you can upload a new one. It looks at whether the focus is on breasts, buttocks or genitals, a sexual pose or clothing, violent or gory imagery, or text meant to shock. YouTube may also turn off custom thumbnails in some search results when it considers them inappropriate for viewers.

What happens if you break the rules

• A thumbnail with pornography can get your channel terminated.
• For other breaches, YouTube removes the thumbnail and may issue a strike. The first time is usually a warning. You can take a policy training so the warning expires after 90 days.
• Three strikes in 90 days can end your channel.
• Repeated breaches can cost you custom thumbnails for 30 days.

If you think YouTube got it wrong, you can appeal. If the appeal succeeds and you haven't replaced the thumbnail, YouTube may restore it.

Copyright applies too. If you didn't make an image, you need permission or a copyright exception such as fair use to use it.

Technical requirements

• Verified account. Custom thumbnails need phone verification.
• Size. 16:9 for videos, at least 640 pixels wide; YouTube recommends 3840 × 2160. For Shorts, 9:16, at least 640 pixels tall; 2160 × 3840 is recommended. Podcast playlists use 1:1.
• File. JPG or PNG, under 50 MB from a computer or 2 MB from a phone.
• Daily limit. If you see "Daily custom thumbnail limit reached", try again in 24 hours.

The full list is in YouTube thumbnail size, and the steps are in how to change a YouTube thumbnail.

YouTube's own best practices

From YouTube's thumbnail and title tips:

• Know who it's for. For subscribers, show familiar things. For new viewers, show actions and emotions anyone relates to.
• Use the rule of thirds, then add your branding and descriptive text. If you add text, use a font that's easy to read.
• Keep it simple. Colour and composition catch the eye; too much overwhelms it.
• Make it as large as possible, because thumbnails show differently across devices.
• Take photos during the shoot, so you have options when you upload.
• Measure it. Check click-through rate on Home and Suggested in the first 24 hours, and in the Subscriptions feed for subscribers.
• Refresh older thumbnails to appeal to new viewers. You can also A/B test up to three thumbnails.

Check how yours reads at small sizes

Paste a link to one of your videos. YouTube's image server keeps your thumbnail in five sizes, down to 320 × 180 and 120 × 90. If your text is hard to read in the small copies, try bigger text or fewer words.