YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide
Use the 1280 × 720 thumbnail preset, preview a 16:9 safe-area guide, or choose a larger HD workspace before export.
Choose an image placement
Aspect ratio
Official 720p baseline and standard 16:9 ratio.
The template contains guides only. Add your own design in an image editor, then remove or cover the guide labels.
Design for every crop
Exact pixel canvas
The preview and downloaded template use the selected pixel dimensions.
Aspect-ratio guidance
See the simplified ratio and keep important content inside the dashed guide.
No upload needed
Templates are generated locally in your browser.
YouTube thumbnail size reference
| Placering | Recommended size | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube video thumbnail | 1280 × 720 | Official 720p baseline and standard 16:9 ratio. |
| YouTube thumbnail HD workspace | 1920 × 1080 | Larger 16:9 workspace; export within current upload limits. |
| YouTube Shorts cover | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 vertical canvas; thumbnail controls differ for Shorts. |
Hvordan det virker
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1
Choose a preset
Select the platform placement you are designing.
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2
Review the guides
Check pixel dimensions, aspect ratio, and crop guidance.
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3
Download template
Use the PNG guide as a correctly sized starting canvas.
Design thumbnails for small screens
YouTube uses 1280 × 720 as the 720p thumbnail baseline in its testing guidance, and 16:9 is the standard desktop video ratio. Use one clear focal point, high contrast, and minimal large text. Always follow YouTube thumbnail policies and avoid misleading imagery.
Ofte stillede spørgsmål
What is the recommended YouTube thumbnail size?
1280 × 720 pixels is the standard 16:9 baseline used in YouTube guidance.
Can I use a 1920 × 1080 thumbnail?
It has the same 16:9 ratio, but check the current upload file-size and format requirements in YouTube Studio.
Should thumbnail text be small?
No. Thumbnails appear small on many devices, so use short, large, high-contrast text.
YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide last reviewed: Jul 19, 2026.