Resize Image for a YouTube Thumbnail

Get the exact 1280×720 (16:9) thumbnail YouTube recommends. Sharp on every device, no cropping surprises. Free and private.

Output size:1280 × 720 px· 16:9 · 1280 × 720 px

Fills the whole frame: edges are cropped so the image exactly fills the size. Best for social posts, thumbnails and banners.

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Resized to exactly 1280 × 720 px · JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC

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16:9 · 1280 × 720 px

YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide

YouTube recommends a thumbnail of 1280 × 720 px: a 16:9 ratio with a minimum width of 640 px. Getting the ratio exactly right matters because YouTube shows your thumbnail at many sizes (search, sidebar, mobile, TV), and the wrong shape gets cropped or padded unpredictably. YouTube's thumbnail rules: • Resolution: 1280 × 720 px (16:9), minimum 640 px wide • Formats: JPG, PNG, WebP • File size: under 2 MB • Keep faces and text large and centered (on mobile the thumbnail is tiny) How to use this page: • "Fill" crops your image to a clean 16:9 automatically • Need it under YouTube's 2 MB cap? Resize here, then run it through our Compress tool • Tap "Adjust" for a Full HD 1920 × 1080 version or any custom 16:9 size

What are the dimensions of a YouTube thumbnail?

A YouTube thumbnail is 1280 × 720 pixels (16:9), with a minimum width of 640 px and a 2 MB file limit. This tool resizes any image to exactly 1280 × 720 px so it stays sharp across search, sidebar and mobile.

100% private Exact dimensions Free forever

Frequently asked questions

What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?

1280 × 720 px, a 16:9 ratio, with a minimum width of 640 px. That's the size YouTube recommends and displays best across devices.

What is YouTube's thumbnail file-size limit?

Thumbnails must be under 2 MB (JPG, PNG, GIF or WebP). If yours is larger after resizing, compress it without changing the dimensions. Open the Compress tool

Why does my thumbnail look cropped on YouTube?

If your image isn't exactly 16:9, YouTube crops it to fit. Use 'Fill' here to make it precisely 1280 × 720 so nothing important is cut.

Can I upload a higher-resolution thumbnail?

Yes, 1920 × 1080 is also 16:9 and looks crisp. Use the quick-pick under 'Adjust'. Just keep the file under 2 MB.

Is my image private?

Yes. Resizing runs entirely in your browser. Your file is never uploaded or stored.