Get the right result
Start with a sharp image and keep faces or text away from the outer edges. Check the centered crop in the preview; large, clear elements are easier to recognize when the thumbnail appears at a small size.
Frequently asked questions
What dimensions does this thumbnail tool use?
The output is exactly 3840 × 2160 pixels, a 16:9 image suitable for a landscape video thumbnail.
How does it stay below 2 MB?
Automatic JPG compression adjusts image quality while keeping the 3840 × 2160 dimensions.
How do I upload the thumbnail?
Download the JPG and select it in the thumbnail section of your video in YouTube Studio, using an account with custom thumbnails enabled.