YouTube Thumbnail Maker: what it does
Make a thumbnail that is readable at phone size: add a frame from your video or any photo, type three to five words, and the text is set big and bold on a fade that keeps it readable. Add your channel logo, pick an accent colour that matches your brand, and download a JPG at exactly 1280 × 720, the size YouTube recommends.
How to use it
- Add your photo: drop it on the preview, paste it, or tap “Add photo”. Optionally add your logo.
- Type a headline, an optional subline, the button text and your brand name.
- Pick a layout, a size and an accent colour. Click the photo to choose what stays in frame.
- Download the image, or every size as one ZIP.
Tips
- Three to five words is plenty. Thumbnails are seen at around 250 pixels wide on phones, so long titles become unreadable.
- Don’t repeat the video title: the thumbnail and the title are seen together, so let the thumbnail add curiosity.
- A close-up face with a clear expression usually gets more clicks than a wide shot. Pause your video on that frame, take a screenshot, and use it here.
- Keep text away from the bottom-right corner: YouTube puts the video length there.
- Cut yourself out with the background remover first, then use the cut-out on a bold colour for the classic creator look.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a YouTube thumbnail?
1280 × 720 pixels (16:9), with a minimum width of 640 pixels. This tool always exports exactly 1280 × 720.
Will the file be accepted by YouTube?
Yes. The download is a JPG of a few hundred kilobytes, a format and size YouTube accepts for custom thumbnails.
Why can’t I upload a custom thumbnail on YouTube?
YouTube only allows custom thumbnails on verified accounts. Verify your channel with a phone number in YouTube Studio, then the “Upload thumbnail” option appears.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The thumbnail is made in your browser, on your device.
Is there a watermark?
No. It is free with no watermark and no sign-up.