YouTube Thumbnail Size
YouTube now recommends thumbnails as large as possible, with 3840×2160 as its current reference size and a minimum width of 640px. Resize to 3840×2160px with cropping or padding, then check the result before using it.
Resize to 3840 × 2160px
Crop, scale, and export in PNG (lossless), JPG, or WebP
Drop images here, or click to choose files
Make a readable video thumbnail
This 1280 × 720 preset produces a 16:9 still image for a standard video thumbnail. A Shorts thumbnail is a separate workflow; a landscape thumbnail is not a universal replacement for it.
A 16:9 crop leaves less vertical space than a square source. Position the crop before exporting so the subject stays in frame.
Before you use the download
- Keep the subject large and check the result at a small preview size. Fine print that looks good at full resolution may be unreadable in search results.
- Export PNG for crisp graphics or JPG for a photograph. Check the upload limit shown in YouTube Studio and compress the file if necessary.
- The resizer creates an image, not a video frame picker. Upload the result through the custom-thumbnail workflow available to your channel.
Platform references
- YouTube Help: custom thumbnail image size and resolution
- YouTube Help: channel banner image guidelines
Platform layouts can change. Check the destination’s preview before publishing.
Continue with another image tool
After checking an image, choose a tool for the change you need. Each tool has a different purpose.
Compress Images to KB or MB
Reduce file size to fit a KB or MB limit. Compression may also reduce pixel dimensions to reach your target.
Image Format Converter
Change the image file format, such as PNG to JPG or WebP. This is different from converting pixels to print units.
Metadata Remover
Need to strip or edit EXIF before sharing? Open Metadata Remover to remove GPS, camera data and other hidden fields.
Image Size Finder
Check pixel width, height, megapixels and aspect ratio instantly for one image or a full batch.
Related image presets
Explore more sizes for YouTube and other platforms.
Popular platform sizes
Frequently used dimensions across major networks:
YouTube Thumbnail FAQ
What are the dimensions for YouTube thumbnail?
The recommended YouTube thumbnail size is 3840×2160 pixels, an aspect ratio of 16:9. YouTube now recommends thumbnails as large as possible, with 3840×2160 as its current reference size and a minimum width of 640px.
What is the aspect ratio for YouTube thumbnail?
16:9 (3840×2160). This matches the preset canvas; the platform may still crop the uploaded image on different devices.
How do I resize my image to 3840×2160?
Drop your image into the tool above. "Crop to fill" scales and center-crops to exactly 3840×2160; "Fit (pad)" keeps the whole image and adds padding. Then download as PNG or JPG. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
PNG or JPG for YouTube?
Use PNG for graphics, logos and text (lossless, supports transparency). Use JPG for photos to get a smaller file. This tool exports both.
Resize to 3840×2160 Online Now
Fast, 100% private, and completely free in-browser resizer. Crop or fit your images to exactly 3840×2160 pixels for YouTube Thumbnail in seconds.