The official YouTube thumbnail size is 1280×720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Learn the exact thumbnail dimensions, resolution requirements, file formats, and design tips for creating high-CTR thumbnails that get clicks.
YouTube displays your thumbnail at different sizes depending on the device and context. Here's how your 1280×720 thumbnail will appear:
| Device/Context | Display Size |
|---|---|
| Desktop Homepage | 360 × 202 |
| Search Results | 360 × 202 |
| Sidebar (Up Next) | 168 × 94 |
| Mobile Feed | 320 × 180 |
| Mobile Search | 120 × 68 |
| TV App | 480 × 270 |
💡 Tip: Always design for the smallest size (120×68) to ensure your thumbnail is readable everywhere.
YouTube's interface is predominantly white and red. Use colors that stand out, especially in dark mode feeds.
70% of YouTube views are on mobile. Use bold fonts with at least 30% of frame height for main text.
Thumbnails with expressive human faces get 38% more clicks on average.
Video duration timestamps appear there. Keep important elements away from that area.
Preview your thumbnail at 120×68 pixels (search result size) to ensure readability.
Use consistent colors, fonts, and styles so viewers recognize your content instantly.
Use our free tools to preview and analyze your thumbnails before uploading to YouTube.
No design skills needed. Generate high-CTR thumbnails at the perfect 1280×720 size in seconds.
Try Thumbify AI Free →The recommended size is 1280×720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This ensures your thumbnail looks great on all devices from mobile to desktop and TV.
YouTube thumbnail dimensions are 1280 pixels wide by 720 pixels tall (1280×720). This matches the 16:9 aspect ratio used by HD video.
YouTube accepts JPG, GIF, and PNG formats. We recommend PNG for graphics with text (better quality), and JPG for photos (smaller file size). Keep file size under 2MB.
Thumbnails appear blurry when uploaded at low resolution. Always use at least 1280×720 pixels. Also check your image export settings - avoid excessive compression.
The minimum width is 640 pixels. However, always use 1280×720 for best quality on high-resolution devices like 4K monitors and retina displays.
Use image editing software to resize your thumbnail to 1280×720 pixels. Most tools (Photoshop, Canva, GIMP) have preset options for this size. You can also use AI tools like Thumbify to generate correctly-sized thumbnails automatically.
Yes! High-quality thumbnails at the correct size lead to higher click-through rates (CTR), which signals to YouTube that your content is engaging, potentially boosting your video's ranking.
Yes! You need to verify your YouTube account first. Once verified, you can upload custom thumbnails for any video during or after the upload process.
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