YouTube thumbnail size 1280 × 720, under 2 MB.

YouTube asks for thumbnails at 1280 × 720 pixels, in a 16:9 shape, and no larger than 2 MB. Here's how to hit both.

YouTube asks for thumbnails at 1280 × 720 pixels, in a 16:9 shape, and no larger than 2 MB. Here's how to hit both.

The rules

Recommended
Size1280 × 720 px (at least 640 px wide)
Shape16:9
FileJPG, PNG or GIF, under 2 MB
Channel banner2560 × 1440 px, with the important part inside the central 1546 × 423

Get it under 2 MB

A 1280 × 720 JPG is usually well under 2 MB. If yours isn't (often a PNG with lots of detail), compress it to a target file size and it will come in just under the limit.

How

  1. Open Resize and set 1280 × 720, filling the 16:9 frame.
  2. If the file is still too big, run it through Compress with a 2 MB target.
  3. Both happen in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Resize to 1280 × 720 with Resize

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About One Design

One Design is a set of 24 everyday image, brand, privacy and PDF tools that run in your browser, so your files never leave your device. It's designed and built by Alex Marin, a product and brand designer in London.

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