YouTube thumbnail size: 3840 x 2160, 16:9, under 2 MB from a phone
Updated · 2 min read
Short answer
YouTube recommends a thumbnail of 3840 x 2160 pixels in a 16:9 shape, at least 640 pixels wide, as a JPG or PNG. The file can be up to 2 MB when you upload from a phone and up to 50 MB from a computer. Shorts thumbnails are 9:16, recommended at 2160 x 3840.
The figures
Video
- Recommended
- 3840 x 2160 px
- Minimum
- 640 px wide
- Shape
- 16:9
Shorts
- Recommended
- 2160 x 3840 px
- Minimum
- 640 px high
- Shape
- 9:16
| Thumbnail | Recommended | Minimum | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video | 3840 x 2160 px | 640 px wide | 16:9 |
| Shorts | 2160 x 3840 px | 640 px high | 9:16 |
- File types: JPG or PNG.
- File size: up to 2 MB from a mobile device, and up to 50 MB from a desktop.
How to crop a thumbnail to size
- 01Start from the largest frame or photo you have. A 4K frame gives the 3840 x 2160 size without enlarging anything. See crop vs resize.
- 02Crop to 16:9. See how to crop a photo to an aspect ratio.
- 03Keep faces and text away from the edges, which are the first part to be cut or covered.
- 04Save as a JPG and check the file size. If it is over 2 MB and you upload from a phone, lower the quality a little or shrink the picture.
SizeSpec has a YouTube thumbnail preset: 3840 x 2160 pixels, aimed at under 2 MB so it also works from a phone. Figures and sources are in the YouTube thumbnail guide. It does not cover Shorts thumbnails.
Frequently asked questions
- What size is a YouTube thumbnail?
- YouTube recommends 3840 x 2160 pixels in a 16:9 shape, and at least 640 pixels wide.
- What is the file size limit for a YouTube thumbnail?
- 2 MB when you upload from a mobile device and 50 MB from a desktop, according to YouTube's Help.
- What size is a Shorts thumbnail?
- 9:16, recommended at 2160 x 3840 pixels, with a minimum height of 640 pixels.
Sources
- YouTube Help: Add video thumbnails, checked November 3, 2026.
Rules change. Check the source before relying on a figure.
Publishing an app? Do the whole set at once
SizeSpec crops and resizes a batch of thumbnails to the size YouTube asks for and gives you one ZIP. It crops from the centre or pads the image on white, and it works in your browser, so your files are never uploaded. It does not offer free-hand cropping of a single picture.
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