YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide (2025)
Everything you need to know about YouTube thumbnail dimensions, file sizes, and format requirements for perfect thumbnails every time.
| Recommended Size | 1280 x 720 pixels(Minimum width of 640 pixels) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Maximum File Size | 2 MB |
| Accepted Formats | JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, WebP |
| Minimum Width | 640 pixels |
| Display Size (Desktop) | ~246 x 138 pixels(Varies by layout) |
| Display Size (Mobile) | ~168 x 94 pixels(Varies by device) |
- Always use 1280x720 pixels for the sharpest display across all devices.
- Keep important elements centered since edges may be cropped on some displays.
- Use high contrast colors and large text that is readable at small sizes.
- Save as JPG for photos and PNG for graphics with text overlays.
- Test how your thumbnail looks at small sizes before uploading.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best YouTube thumbnail size is 1280 x 720 pixels (1280px wide, 720px tall) with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This is the resolution YouTube recommends for optimal display across all devices and layouts.
If your thumbnail is not 16:9, YouTube will add black bars (letterboxing) or crop the image. Thumbnails smaller than 640px wide may appear blurry. Always use 1280x720 for the best results.
Yes, but YouTube will downscale it. Using exactly 1280x720 is recommended because it keeps the file size small while maintaining quality. The file must be under 2 MB regardless of resolution.
The minimum width for a YouTube thumbnail is 640 pixels. However, using anything smaller than 1280x720 is not recommended as it will appear blurry on larger screens.
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