Size guide
YouTube Thumbnail Size
The exact YouTube thumbnail size is 1280×720 px (16:9), up to 2MB. Full specs, safe zones and a free AI maker to create yours at the right size.
Make a thumbnailGenerate one at the right size — no cropping math.The right size, explained
The recommended YouTube thumbnail size is 1280×720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio, a minimum width of 640 pixels, and a file size under 2MB (JPG, PNG, GIF or BMP). YouTube now also accepts up to 3840×2160 for 4K-sharp thumbnails on desktop uploads.
Remember that most viewers will see your thumbnail at roughly 246×138 pixels in search results and feeds — design for legibility at small size: 3-5 bold words max, one clear focal point, strong contrast.
You can generate a thumbnail with AI already sized at 16:9 — describe the video, pick a style, and download at full resolution.
Exact specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1280 × 720 px (16:9) |
| Minimum width | 640 px |
| Maximum file size | 2 MB (up to 50 MB for 4K desktop uploads) |
| 4K option | 3840 × 2160 px |
| Formats | JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP |
| Displayed at (search/feed) | ~246 × 138 px |
Make it at the right size
Generate the thumbnail already at 16:9 — no cropping afterwards.
