YouTube Thumbnail

1280×720 px — standard YouTube thumbnail dimensions.

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Click or drag image here

JPG, PNG, WebP supported · Max recommended 25MB

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About this tool

Resize your image to the perfect YouTube thumbnail size online for free with ResizerPhoto. A great thumbnail is the most important factor in getting clicks on YouTube. Make sure yours is the correct size and looks sharp on all devices.

Key features

Auto-resize to YouTube thumbnail dimensions
Correct 16:9 ratio for YouTube
High resolution output
Works on mobile and desktop
No server upload — fully private
Free with no limits

Common uses

Create YouTube video thumbnails
Resize photos for YouTube thumbnail use
Prepare thumbnail images for YouTube Shorts
Update old video thumbnails to correct size
Create thumbnail templates for YouTube channel

How it works

The youtube thumbnail tool outputs images at exactly 1280×720 pixels, matching the platform's current published guideline. Uploading an image at this precise size means the platform doesn't need to auto-crop or auto-scale it, so nothing important gets cut off and the result looks the same as what you designed. If your source photo has a different aspect ratio, the tool fits and centers it to 1280×720 rather than stretching it, keeping proportions natural.

Tips for best results

Use a high-resolution source photo — platforms will crop or scale it, and a low-res start looks worse after upload.
Preview how the image looks on both mobile and desktop before publishing, since crops can differ.
Keep important content like faces or text away from the very edges in case the platform crops slightly differently.
Re-check platform size guidelines occasionally — social apps update recommended dimensions from time to time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the correct YouTube thumbnail size?

YouTube recommends 1280x720 px (16:9 ratio) for video thumbnails. Our tool outputs exactly this size.

What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?

Clear text, bright colors, expressive faces and high contrast elements tend to perform well. Make sure the thumbnail is readable at small sizes.

What format should YouTube thumbnails be?

JPG, PNG or GIF are accepted. JPG is most common for photos. PNG is better for thumbnails with text and graphics.

Is there a file size limit for YouTube thumbnails?

YouTube allows thumbnails up to 2MB in size.

How do I upload a custom thumbnail on YouTube?

Go to YouTube Studio, select your video, click Details, then click Upload Thumbnail to add your custom image.

Will my photo be cropped automatically when I upload it to the platform?

Using the exact recommended size reduces the chance of an automatic crop, but always preview before posting.

Can I use this size for a different platform too?

Sizes are platform-specific, so check the exact requirement for each platform rather than reusing one size everywhere.

Do I need special software to prepare this size?

No, this tool runs entirely in your browser, so no software installation is needed.