YouTube thumbnail size at a glance
| Format | Recommended size | Aspect ratio | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video thumbnail | 3840 × 2160 px | 16:9 | 640 px wide |
| Shorts thumbnail | 2160 × 3840 px | 9:16 | 640 px tall |
| Podcast playlist | Square | 1:1 | 640 px |
Formats: JPG or PNG. File size limit: 2 MB when uploading from the mobile app (10 MB for podcasts) and 50 MB on desktop. Source: YouTube Help, "Add video thumbnails".
Is 1280×720 still OK?
Yes. 1280×720 was the recommendation for years and still meets every rule: it is 16:9 and wider than 640 px. It just looks softer on large TVs and 4K monitors. Export as large as you can; a 1920×1080 or 3840×2160 PNG under the size limit is the safest choice.
Vertical videos get a 4:5 thumbnail
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 subscriptions pages. Your custom image still shows on the watch page, in watch history and on non-mobile platforms. For vertical content, design for 9:16.
Who can upload custom thumbnails
Your account must be verified. Community Guidelines strikes can limit how many custom thumbnails you can upload, and repeated violations can remove the feature for 30 days.
Design tips that raise click-through rate
- One big subject. A face with a clear emotion, or a single object, filling a third of the frame.
- Three words or fewer. Thumbnails are viewed at about 168 px wide on phones; long titles turn to noise.
- Keep the bottom-right clear. The video duration badge sits there.
- High contrast. Bright subject on a darker, simple background.
- Test variations. YouTube's Test & Compare lets you try up to three thumbnails on one video.