What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?

YouTube recommends thumbnails at 1280x720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) with a minimum width of 640 pixels. The file should be under 2MB in JPG, GIF, or PNG format. Our preview tool lets you see how your thumbnail looks at this size and at smaller display sizes.

Why is thumbnail text important on YouTube?

Thumbnail text helps convey your video's value proposition at a glance. Since thumbnails appear at small sizes in search results and mobile, your text needs to be bold, short (3-5 words max), and readable. Use our preview tool to test readability at every YouTube display size.

How do I make my YouTube thumbnails stand out?

Use contrasting colors, bold text with outlines, expressive faces, and minimal clutter. Test your thumbnail at small sizes to ensure it's readable. The best thumbnails are recognizable even at 168x94 pixels (mobile size). Preview your thumbnails with our free tool before publishing.

Thumbnail Preview Tool

Preview Your Thumbnail Before Publishing

Upload an image, add text overlay, and see exactly how your thumbnail looks at every YouTube size — homepage, search results, and mobile.

Last updated: February 2026

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Position

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Preview (1280 x 720)

How it looks on YouTube

Homepage

360 x 202

Search Result

246 x 138

Mobile

168 x 94

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Frequently Asked Questions

YouTube recommends 1280x720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) with a minimum width of 640 pixels. Files should be under 2MB in JPG, GIF, or PNG format. Our preview tool shows you how your thumbnail looks at this size and at the smaller sizes YouTube actually displays.

Use contrasting colors, bold text (3-5 words max), expressive faces, and minimal clutter. The most important test is whether your thumbnail is readable at mobile size (168x94 pixels). Use our preview tool to check before publishing.

No. Everything runs entirely in your browser using the HTML Canvas API. Your images are never uploaded to any server. The preview and download happen locally on your device.

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Preview Your Thumbnail Before Publishing

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Real YouTube Sizes

Text Overlay

Instant Download

Frequently Asked Questions

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