Resize Image for a YouTube Thumbnail

Get a crisp 1280×720 YouTube thumbnail under the 2 MB limit. Free, instant and private - your image never leaves your browser.

Drop images here or click to browse

Up to 20 images · Max 10 MB each · JPG, PNG, WebP

Lower = smaller file. 50% halves width & height.

Resized images

    Note: presets keep your photo's aspect ratio, so the result may not exactly match the platform's frame. Tick Fill to the exact preset size with blurred edges to get the exact dimensions - your photo is centred on a blurred version of itself instead of being cropped.

    1. Upload
    Drag in up to 20 images (10 MB each).
    2. Choose size
    Use the 1280×720 preset.
    3. Download
    Save each file or grab them all as a ZIP.

    The correct YouTube thumbnail size

    YouTube recommends thumbnails at 1280×720 pixels (16:9) and requires the file to be under 2 MB. Resize your image to 1280×720 here, and if it is still over 2 MB, lower the quality slider or export as JPEG to shrink the file without a visible drop in sharpness.

    Make thumbnails for a whole series

    Producing a batch of videos? Resize up to 20 thumbnail images at once to 1280×720 and download them together, processed privately in your browser.

    PlacementRecommended sizeNotes
    Video thumbnail1280 × 72016:9, under 2 MB
    Channel banner / art2560 × 1440safe area 1546×423
    Shorts cover1080 × 19209:16

    Frequently asked questions

    What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?

    1280×720 pixels (16:9), with a file size under 2 MB in JPG, PNG or WebP.

    How do I get my thumbnail under 2 MB?

    After resizing to 1280×720, choose JPEG output and lower the quality slider until the file is under 2 MB. The size is shown next to each result.

    Can I make thumbnails without Photoshop?

    Yes. Resize your background or screenshot to 1280×720 here for free, no software or account needed.

    Is my thumbnail kept private?

    Yes. The image is processed locally in your browser and never uploaded.

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