YouTube Thumbnail Size & Preview Tool
Upload your thumbnail to check dimensions and see exactly how it will appear on YouTube across different devices.
Official YouTube Thumbnail Specifications
Upload Your Thumbnail
Drop your thumbnail here
or click to browse
Supports JPG, PNG, GIF • Max 2MB recommended
Understanding YouTube Thumbnail Size Requirements
YouTube displays thumbnails in various sizes across different devices and contexts. Getting your thumbnail dimensions right ensures your content looks professional everywhere it appears — from search results to the home feed to suggested videos.
Why 1280×720 Pixels?
YouTube recommends 1280×720 pixels as the ideal thumbnail resolution. This size provides enough detail for the largest display contexts while keeping file sizes manageable. The minimum width requirement is 640 pixels, but using the full 1280×720 resolution ensures your thumbnail looks sharp on high-resolution displays.
The 16:9 Aspect Ratio Explained
The 16:9 aspect ratio matches YouTube's video player dimensions. When you upload a thumbnail with a different aspect ratio, YouTube will either add black bars (letterboxing) or crop your image to fit — both of which can make your thumbnail look unprofessional and reduce click-through rates.
File Format Recommendations
YouTube accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF formats for thumbnails. Here's when to use each:
- JPG: Best for photographic images and most thumbnails. Offers good compression with acceptable quality.
- PNG: Ideal for graphics with text or sharp edges. Produces larger files but maintains crisp details.
- GIF: Rarely recommended. Limited to 256 colors and doesn't animate as a YouTube thumbnail.
Preview Contexts Explained
This tool shows your thumbnail in three key contexts:
- Desktop Video Player: How your thumbnail appears before a viewer clicks play
- Mobile Video Player: The mobile viewing experience with overlay controls
- YouTube Feed: How your thumbnail competes for attention against other videos
Tips for High-CTR Thumbnails
- Use high contrast colors that pop against YouTube's interface
- Include a clear, expressive face when relevant
- Keep text minimal (3-4 words maximum) and large enough to read at small sizes
- Test your thumbnail at small sizes — if it works at 100 pixels wide, it works everywhere