Design for small previews
Check the image at a small size. A thumbnail that works only at full resolution will underperform in feeds.
YouTube thumbnail size
YouTube thumbnail size: 1280x720 pixels
YouTube recommends high-resolution 16:9 thumbnails, commonly 1280x720 pixels. This preset gives you the expected canvas before upload.
YouTube thumbnail size
Make the thumbnail readable
Keep the 16:9 frame
1280x720 keeps the standard video ratio, avoiding letterboxing or unexpected crops in most YouTube placements.
Export cleanly before upload
Resize first, then compress only if needed. Excessive compression can blur faces and text.
FAQ
YouTube thumbnail size FAQ
What is the minimum useful YouTube thumbnail width?
YouTube documentation points creators to high-resolution thumbnails and commonly references 1280x720; lower resolutions can be downscaled in some contexts.
Can I use this for Shorts?
This page targets standard 16:9 video thumbnails. Vertical Shorts placements may display thumbnails differently.