📸 YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide
Your quick reference for creating perfect YouTube thumbnails that display beautifully on every device.
📐 Perfect Thumbnail Dimensions
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280 × 720 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (widescreen) |
| File Size | Under 2MB (smaller is better) |
| Format | JPG, PNG, or GIF (PNG recommended) |
| Minimum Width | 640 pixels (but use 1280 for quality) |
🎯 Safe Zones (Keep Important Content Here)
YouTube overlays timestamps and video duration on the bottom-right corner. Keep critical text and faces within the safe zone:
| Zone | Dimensions | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Full Canvas | 1280 × 720 px | Entire thumbnail area |
| Safe Zone ⭐ | 1235 × 695 px | Keep text/faces here (avoid 45px from edges) |
| Timestamp Overlay | ~150 × 80 px | Bottom-right corner (avoid placing text here) |
📱 How Your Thumbnail Appears Across Devices
📱 Mobile (70% of views)
168 × 94 px
Very small! Use large text (min 50pt) and high contrast. Test readability at this size.
💻 Desktop
320 × 180 px
Medium size in search results and suggested videos. Most common viewing size.
📺 TV / Large Player
1280 × 720 px (full size)
Rare but looks best at full resolution. Ensures quality at all sizes.
✅ Export Settings Checklist
Set resolution to 1280 × 720 pixels
Maintain 16:9 aspect ratio
Export as PNG (best quality) or JPG (smaller file)
Keep file size under 2MB (compress if needed)
Use RGB color space (not CMYK)
Set to 72 DPI (screen resolution)
Verify important elements are within safe zone
Test readability at mobile size (168 × 94 px)
Check contrast and text readability
💡 Quick Design Tips
- •Use large text: Minimum 50pt font size. 5-7 words maximum.
- •High contrast: Bright text on dark background (or vice versa). Avoid mid-tones.
- •Faces work: If showing a face, make it large with a clear expression (surprised, excited).
- •Stand out: Use colors that pop against YouTube's white/dark interface.
- •Test at small size: Shrink your thumbnail to 168px wide. Can you still read it?
Need more YouTube tools? Check out our other free templates: