YouTube Thumbnail Size and Requirements

The recommended YouTube thumbnail size is 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio), with a minimum width of 640 pixels and a file size under 2 MB. Accepted formats are JPG, PNG and GIF. Using this size keeps your thumbnail sharp on phones, computers and TVs.

Quick specifications

• Resolution: 1280 x 720 px
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Maximum size: 2 MB
• Formats: JPG, PNG, GIF

Tips for a thumbnail people click

1. Use 3 to 5 big words at most, readable on a small phone screen.
2. Choose high contrast between text and background.
3. Keep faces and key objects away from the bottom-right corner, where the video duration appears.
4. Make the thumbnail match the title so viewers get what they expect.

Make your thumbnail now

Use our free YouTube Thumbnail Maker to create a 1280 x 720 thumbnail and download it as PNG. You can also write tags and descriptions with the tag generator and description generator.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best YouTube thumbnail size?

1280 x 720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Use at least 640 pixels wide.

What is the maximum file size for a YouTube thumbnail?

2 MB. Accepted formats are JPG, PNG and GIF.

Why does my thumbnail look blurry?

The image is usually too small or over-compressed. Export at 1280 x 720 and keep text large.