YouTube keeps changing its preferred sizes, and uploading the wrong dimensions means awkward cropping. Resizing to the right size first puts you in control of the frame.
The recommended size
YouTube thumbnails use a 16:9 frame at 1280 by 720 pixels, and should stay under YouTube's 2 MB file limit.
How to resize for YouTube
- Open the YouTube Thumbnail Resizer.
- Add your image.
- It is set to the correct thumbnail dimensions, so you just position the content.
- Download and upload to YouTube.
Processing happens in your browser, so your images stay private.
Tips that help
- Use bold, readable text that works even at small sizes.
- Keep important elements away from the bottom right where the duration badge sits.
- Stay under the 2 MB upload limit by compressing the final image.
Finish before you post
Compress the final image with the Image Compressor so it uploads fast, and crop with Crop to Aspect Ratio if you need a different shape.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a thumbnail be on YouTube?
YouTube thumbnails use a 16:9 frame at 1280 by 720 pixels, and should stay under YouTube's 2 MB file limit.
Will resizing distort my YouTube image?
Not if you keep the aspect ratio locked. The tool scales the image to fit the target shape cleanly.
Is my image uploaded to resize it?
No. Resizing runs in your browser, so your image stays on your device.