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For a standard YouTube video, use a custom thumbnail of 3840 × 2160 pixels (16:9). For a Short, use 2160 × 3840 pixels (9:16). YouTube recommends these dimensions; they are thumbnail-image specifications, not the resolution of the video itself.
YouTube thumbnail dimensions by content type
| Content | Recommended pixels | Aspect ratio | Minimum dimension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard video | 3840 × 2160 | 16:9 | 640 pixels wide |
| Short | 2160 × 3840 | 9:16 | 640 pixels high |
| Podcast playlist image | YouTube’s current guidance does not state a separate pixel dimension | 1:1 | Not stated |
These are YouTube’s recommendations, not a statement that every upload must use exactly those dimensions. YouTube advises using a large image because it is also used as the preview image in the embedded player. See YouTube’s custom-thumbnail guidance.
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File formats and upload size limits
YouTube recommends image formats such as JPG or PNG. The maximum file size depends on the type of thumbnail and whether you upload from mobile or desktop:
| Thumbnail type | Mobile limit | Desktop limit |
|---|---|---|
| Video thumbnail | 2 MB | 50 MB |
| Podcast thumbnail | 10 MB | 50 MB |
| Short thumbnail | Not stated separately in the mobile guidance | 50 MB |
If the image exceeds the applicable limit, export a smaller file while keeping the recommended aspect ratio. The limits and formats are listed in YouTube Help.
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Why 1280 × 720 is still often called the YouTube thumbnail size
1280 × 720 pixels is 720p video resolution, and it remains a familiar thumbnail size. But YouTube’s current custom-thumbnail guidance recommends 3840 × 2160 for standard-video thumbnails. The video-resolution page’s 1280 × 720 figure describes playback resolution, not the current thumbnail recommendation; see YouTube’s video resolution and aspect-ratio guidance.
There is also a separate 1280 × 720 rule for thumbnail experiments: YouTube says if any thumbnail in a Test & Compare experiment is below 720p (1280 × 720), all experiment thumbnails are downscaled to 480p (854 × 480). That is specific to experiments, not a replacement for the custom-thumbnail recommendation. See YouTube’s Test & Compare guidance.
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How to prepare and upload a thumbnail
- Choose the content’s shape. Make a 16:9 landscape image for a standard video, a 9:16 portrait image for a Short, or a 1:1 image for a podcast playlist.
- Set the canvas size. Use the recommended pixel dimensions in the table above. If you use a different size, preserve the intended aspect ratio and meet the stated minimum width or height.
- Export and check the file. Use a supported image format such as JPG or PNG, and keep the file within the upload limit for your thumbnail type and device.
- Upload through YouTube Studio. Select or upload a custom thumbnail for the video. YouTube currently says custom Shorts thumbnails are added through YouTube Studio on a computer.
- Check account eligibility. Your account must be verified to upload a custom thumbnail. Daily upload limits can vary by country or region and channel history.
What happens when a vertical video uses a 16:9 thumbnail?
YouTube may show an automatically generated 4:5 thumbnail for a vertical video on Home, Explore, and subscription pages, even if you supplied a 16:9 custom thumbnail. YouTube says the custom thumbnail remains on the watch feed, watch history, and non-mobile platforms. If the video is a Short, use the recommended portrait 9:16 thumbnail to match its format. These display details are described in YouTube Help.
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Custom thumbnails require a verified account and must follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines. YouTube names nudity or sexually provocative content, hate speech, violence, and harmful or dangerous content as examples that can lead to rejection and a strike. Check the live custom-thumbnail rules if an upload is rejected, since requirements and availability can change.
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If you need a screenshot of a page as a reference while designing a thumbnail, ScreenshotNeo can capture a website by API. It does not create or resize YouTube thumbnails; use an image editor for that work. One GET request returns an image or PDF:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72431?hl=en -o shot.webp
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See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. It removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are not billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month, with no card.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a thumbnail smaller than YouTube’s recommended dimensions?
The stated minimum is 640 pixels wide for a standard-video thumbnail or 640 pixels high for a Short; YouTube labels its larger dimensions as recommendations.
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