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YouTube thumbnail size

YouTube recommends 3840 × 2160 pixels for video thumbnails, at a 16:9 aspect ratio, and at least 640 pixels wide. For Shorts it's 2160 × 3840 at 9:16, at least 640 pixels tall. Upload a JPG or PNG under 50 MB from a computer, or under 2 MB from a phone.

Social media image resizerUpdated 3 min read

YouTube thumbnail sizes at a glance

  • Video thumbnail: 3840 × 2160 pixels recommended, 16:9, minimum width 640 pixels.
  • Shorts thumbnail: 2160 × 3840 pixels recommended, 9:16, minimum height 640 pixels.
  • Podcast playlist: 1:1 (square) instead of 16:9.
  • File type: an image format such as JPG or PNG.
  • File size: 50 MB from a computer (videos, Shorts and podcasts). From a phone, 2 MB for video thumbnails and 10 MB for podcasts.

Smaller 16:9 sizes such as 1280 × 720 or 1920 × 1080 still meet the minimum. YouTube asks for an image "as large as possible" because the same image is the preview in the embedded player.

Resize your image to 16:9

Drop your image into the resizer below. It starts on YouTube's thumbnail preset, crops to 16:9 around the point you choose and downloads a JPG or PNG. For YouTube's recommended size, pick Custom size and enter 3840 × 2160. It all runs in your browser: your image isn't uploaded anywhere.

Social media image resizer

Open the full tool

How to add a custom thumbnail

Your account has to be verified before you can upload your own thumbnail. Changes can take a while to show on YouTube.

On a computer (YouTube Studio)

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the left menu, select Content.
  3. Go to the video you want to edit and click the edit icon.
  4. Below "Thumbnail", click Upload file and choose your image.
  5. Click Save.

For a Short, pick the Shorts tab at the top of Content first. Custom Shorts thumbnails can only be added on a computer at the moment.

On a phone (YouTube Studio app)

  1. Open the YouTube Studio app and tap Content in the bottom menu.
  2. Select the video and tap Edit, then Edit thumbnail.
  3. Tap Custom thumbnail and pick your image.
  4. Tap Select, then Save.

In the main YouTube app, the same option is under your profile picture → Your videos → More → Edit → Edit thumbnail.

Vertical videos get a different crop

If a vertical video has a 16:9 custom thumbnail, YouTube replaces it with an auto-generated 4:5 thumbnail on the home, explore and subscription pages. Your custom thumbnail still shows in the watch feed, watch history and off mobile. If most of your views come from those feeds, design the thumbnail so the middle still reads when cropped.

Keep it within the rules

Thumbnails must follow YouTube's Community Guidelines. A thumbnail with nudity, hate speech, violence or harmful or dangerous content may be rejected and earn a strike on your account. Repeat offences can cost you custom thumbnails for 30 days, or the account.

Sources

Questions

Is a YouTube thumbnail 1280x720 or 1920x1080?

Either works. Both are 16:9 and wider than YouTube's 640-pixel minimum. YouTube's own recommendation is larger still: 3840 × 2160 pixels for video thumbnails, because the thumbnail is also used as the preview image in the embedded player.

What is the ideal size for a YouTube thumbnail in 2026?

3840 × 2160 pixels at 16:9 for videos, and 2160 × 3840 at 9:16 for Shorts, as JPG or PNG. Keep the file under 50 MB if you upload from a computer, or under 2 MB from a phone.

Is 1920x1080 a YouTube size?

Yes. 1920 × 1080 is 16:9, the aspect ratio YouTube asks for in video thumbnails, and it is above the 640-pixel minimum width.

Why can't I upload a custom thumbnail?

Custom thumbnails need a verified YouTube account. Custom Shorts thumbnails can only be added in YouTube Studio on a computer for now.