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The size guide · 2026
Use 3840 × 2160 pixels for a YouTube video thumbnail. Keep the shape 16:9.
Uploading from a computer? Keep it under 50 MB. From a phone, keep video thumbnails under 2 MB.
Check your thumbnailChecked against YouTube Help.
Pixels set the image size. Megabytes (MB) measure the file size. Check both.
| Recommended resolution | 3840 × 2160 pixels (4K) |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 — a wide rectangle |
| Minimum width | 640 pixels |
| Image formats | JPG or PNG |
| Desktop upload | Under 50 MB |
| Mobile video upload | Under 2 MB |
YouTube lists these rules in its custom thumbnail guide. The upload device sets the file limit, not the device your viewer uses.
Check a video thumbnail before you upload it to YouTube. No account needed.
JPG or PNG, under 50 MB.
Your image stays on this device.
Your dimensions, shape, and file size will appear here.
Use a tall image. Verified accounts can upload a custom Shorts thumbnail in YouTube Studio on a computer.
See Shorts thumbnail ideasUse 1:1 cover art for the playlist. Individual video episodes use the usual 16:9 thumbnail.
See podcast thumbnail ideasPodcast cover uploads: under 10 MB on mobile or 50 MB on desktop. Source: YouTube Help.
A large file can still have tiny text. Look at a small preview before you publish.
Preview your thumbnailCan you still see the face, product, or finished dish on a phone?
Use a few large words. Let the video title handle the rest.
The video length label can cover text or part of a face.
Fit the image to the canvas without making faces wider or taller.
Yes. It has the right 16:9 shape and exceeds the minimum width. YouTube now recommends 3840 × 2160. Keep your original image large; stretching a small image will not restore lost detail.
Yes. A 1920 × 1080 image is also 16:9. Start with a sharp source and check the file size before you upload.
Try JPG for photos when you need a smaller file. Try PNG for sharp text or screen captures. Compare the exports and keep the one that looks better within your upload limit.
Check the original photo first. Enlarging a small photo or saving a JPG many times can lose detail. Export from your original design, then check both the full image and a small preview.
Tell VisualKit about your video. Add a photo or a thumbnail you like.
VisualKit exports 1280 × 720 JPGs: a compatible 16:9 size, below YouTube’s current 4K recommendation.
