YouTube Thumbnail Size
YouTube's thumbnail size rules for videos, Shorts and podcasts, plus a resizer to the exact pixels and file size.
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YouTube thumbnail size at a glance
| Use | Size | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Video (recommended) | 3840 × 2160 | 16:9 |
| Video (common) | 1280 × 720, min width 640 | 16:9 |
| Shorts | 2160 × 3840, min height 640 | 9:16 |
| Podcast playlist | square | 1:1 |
| File size | 2 MB on mobile (10 MB podcasts), 50 MB on desktop. JPG or PNG. | |
Thumbnails that get clicks
- One clear subject and a face showing emotion, if it suits the video.
- Three to five large words at most; many people watch on small phone screens.
- Keep key details away from the bottom-right corner, where YouTube shows the video length.
Rules from YouTube's help page (checked 15 November 2026). Want to save an existing thumbnail? Use the YouTube thumbnail downloader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the right YouTube thumbnail size?
YouTube recommends 3840 × 2160 pixels (16:9) for videos, with a minimum width of 640 pixels. 1280 × 720 is still widely used and looks sharp on most screens. Shorts use 9:16 (2160 × 3840 recommended), and podcast playlists use 1:1.
What is the maximum file size?
It depends on where you upload: 2 MB from the mobile app (10 MB for podcasts), and 50 MB from YouTube Studio on a computer. The resizer here keeps files under 2 MB so they upload anywhere.
Which formats are allowed?
JPG or PNG. JPG gives much smaller files for photos, which is why the resizer saves JPG.
Why can't I upload a custom thumbnail?
Custom thumbnails need a verified YouTube account. Verify your channel in YouTube Studio with a phone number, then try again.
Will my thumbnail be cropped?
For normal videos, a 16:9 image is shown without cropping. For vertical videos, YouTube may replace a 16:9 custom thumbnail with an auto-generated 4:5 one on the home and subscription feeds.