Reference Guide

YouTube Image Specs & Size Guide

Accurate, up-to-date specifications for every YouTube image type. Bookmark this page for quick reference.

Quick Reference

Image Type	Dimensions	Aspect Ratio	Max File Size
Thumbnail	1280 x 720 px	16:9	2 MB
Channel Banner	2560 x 1440 px	16:9	6 MB
Shorts Thumbnail	1080 x 1920 px	9:16	2 MB
Community Post	1200 x 675 px	16:9	16 MB
End Screen	1920 x 1080 px	16:9	N/A (video)

All Specifications

Everything you need to know about YouTube thumbnail dimensions, file sizes, and format requirements for perfect thumbnails every time.

The exact pixel dimensions YouTube requires for custom thumbnails, plus how they display across different devices.

Understand resolution requirements for YouTube thumbnails and how to export the highest quality images within the file size limit.

Why 16:9 is the required aspect ratio for YouTube thumbnails and how to ensure your images display correctly without cropping or letterboxing.

The complete guide to YouTube channel banner dimensions, safe areas for different devices, and design best practices.

Complete guide to YouTube Shorts thumbnail dimensions, the vertical 9:16 format, and how Shorts thumbnails differ from regular video thumbnails.

How to keep your thumbnails under YouTube's 2 MB file size limit without sacrificing image quality.

A detailed comparison of image formats for YouTube thumbnails, including when to use JPG vs PNG for the best results.

The recommended dimensions and format specifications for images shared in YouTube Community tab posts.

Everything about YouTube end screen element dimensions, placement, and how to design video outros that maximize engagement.

Stop worrying about specs. Our AI generates thumbnails in the exact dimensions YouTube requires, every time.