YouTube thumbnail size: the exact specs
YouTube recommends 1280×720 pixels at a 16:9 aspect ratio, at least 640 pixels wide, under 2MB, uploaded as JPG or PNG. Here's the full spec and how to hit it in seconds.
The spec
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1280 × 720 px |
| Minimum width | 640 px |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Max file size | 2 MB (videos), 10 MB (podcasts) |
| Formats | JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP |
Practical tips
- Design at 1280×720 but preview at small sizes — most impressions happen at phone-width, so keep text huge and faces close.
- Keep critical content away from the bottom-right corner where the duration badge overlays.
- Export as JPG around quality 80–90 to stay comfortably under 2MB; use PNG only for flat graphics with text.
Tools used in this guide
Related guides
YouTube thumbnail size: the exact specs — FAQ
1280×720 pixels, 16:9 aspect ratio, at least 640px wide, under 2MB as JPG or PNG.