Creator Tools

YouTube thumbnail preview

Upload your thumbnail and see how it looks with the duration badge and safe text area highlighted. Download at 1280×720.

Preview — YouTube Thumbnail

1280×720YouTube

Drag & drop or click Upload

YouTube thumbnails are 1280×720 (16:9). Keep text and faces in the center — the bottom-right corner may be covered by the duration badge.

Privacy: Your image never leaves your browser.

Social platform layouts change. These previews are practical guides, not official guarantees.

Frequently asked questions

What is the recommended YouTube thumbnail size?
YouTube thumbnails should be 1280×720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) and under 2 MB. JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG formats are supported.
What is the safe text area on YouTube thumbnails?
YouTube overlays the video duration badge in the bottom-right corner. Keep important text, faces and logos in the center and left side of the frame. The previewer above highlights the danger zone.
Can I upload a larger image and let YouTube resize it?
YouTube will resize images to fit the player, but uploading at 1280×720 gives the sharpest result across all devices.
What file format should I use?
JPG is recommended for most thumbnails — it keeps file sizes small while maintaining quality. Use PNG if your thumbnail has text or sharp lines that need to stay crisp.