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YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide
Check the real sizes of any video's thumbnail — then read the exact dimensions to use for your own uploads.
Available thumbnails
Open on YouTube“Not available” means YouTube never generated that size — usually because the video was uploaded below 720p. Learn why.
The right YouTube thumbnail size is 1280 × 720 pixels (16:9) – but that is only half the story. YouTube turns every thumbnail into five different files, and some of them are not even 16:9. Paste any video link into the tool above to see exactly which sizes exist for it, then use the guide below to design your own thumbnails at the right size.
The short answer
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1280 × 720 px |
| Minimum width | 640 px |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| File types | JPG, PNG, GIF (not animated) |
| Maximum file size | 2 MB |
| Requirement | Verified channel |
Anything bigger than 1280 × 720 is scaled down; anything narrower than 640 px is rejected.
How to check the thumbnail sizes of any video
- Paste a YouTube video or Shorts link into the box and click Get thumbnails.
- The tool lists every copy YouTube stores – HD, SD, High, Medium and Small – with its real size.
- Download or Copy URL for the version you need.
If a size shows Not available, YouTube never created it for that video – usually because it was uploaded below 720p.
Every size YouTube generates
| File name | Label | Resolution | Ratio | When it exists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
maxresdefault.jpg | HD | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 | Video uploaded in 720p or higher |
sddefault.jpg | SD | 640 × 480 | 4:3 | Most videos |
hqdefault.jpg | High | 480 × 360 | 4:3 | Always |
mqdefault.jpg | Medium | 320 × 180 | 16:9 | Always |
default.jpg | Small | 120 × 90 | 4:3 | Always |
The 4:3 files contain your 16:9 image with black bars above and below. Our thumbnail URL guide explains how to build these links yourself.
Why there is no 1080p or 4K thumbnail
Some websites promise “1080p” or “4K” thumbnail downloads. YouTube does not store them. A 1920 × 1080 file from such a site is simply the 1280 × 720 image enlarged – bigger, but with no extra detail. We label sizes honestly so you know what you get.
How big your thumbnail really appears
Viewers almost never see a thumbnail at 1280 × 720. Depending on where it shows up, it is roughly:
- Home feed on a computer: a few hundred pixels wide.
- Search results: similar, next to the title and description.
- Suggested videos sidebar: much smaller – often under 200 pixels wide.
- Phones: usually the full width of the screen in the feed, but small in “Up next” lists.
- TVs: large, so low-quality images look soft.
That is why a thumbnail must work both large and tiny. Check yours with the thumbnail preview tool.
Design rules that survive every size
- Design at 1280 × 720 (or 1920 × 1080 and export at 1280 × 720) so nothing is upscaled.
- Use three to five words at most, in a thick, bold font.
- Keep the bottom-right corner clear – the video length badge sits there.
- Leave a margin around text so it is not cut on rounded corners.
- Test light and dark mode; white or black backgrounds can blend into the page.
- Zoom out to 25%. If you cannot read it, viewers cannot either.
Fixing a thumbnail that is the wrong size
If your image is the wrong shape or over 2 MB, the thumbnail resizer converts it to 1280 × 720 and compresses it in your browser. Then confirm everything with the thumbnail checker before uploading. For vertical videos, see the Shorts thumbnail downloader, and if the HD size is missing for a video, read why maxresdefault is not available.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct YouTube thumbnail size?
1280 × 720 pixels in a 16:9 ratio. The minimum width is 640 pixels. Save it as JPG, PNG or non-animated GIF and keep the file under 2 MB.
Can I upload a 1920 × 1080 or 4K thumbnail?
You can upload it if the file is under 2 MB, but YouTube scales it down. The largest copy it stores and shows is 1280 × 720, so a bigger file adds no visible detail.
Why does my downloaded thumbnail have black bars?
The SD (640 × 480), High (480 × 360) and Small (120 × 90) copies are 4:3. YouTube places your 16:9 image inside them and fills the rest with black bars. Use the HD or Medium versions for a clean 16:9 image.
Why is the HD (maxresdefault) size not available for some videos?
YouTube only creates the 1280 × 720 copy when the video itself was uploaded in 720p or higher. Older or low-resolution videos only have the smaller sizes.
What size is a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?
The Shorts feed shows a vertical frame, but the thumbnail files YouTube stores for a Short use the same sizes as other videos, with the vertical image placed in the middle. The Shorts thumbnail downloader explains the details.
Why can’t I upload a custom thumbnail at all?
Custom thumbnails need a verified channel. Verify your phone number in YouTube Studio, and make sure the channel has no active Community Guidelines strike.
Keep reading
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Best Fonts for YouTube Thumbnails (and How to Make Text Readable)
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Monetization
How Much Does YouTube Pay per 1,000 Views? RPM Explained
What YouTube really pays per 1,000 views, the difference between RPM and CPM, why earnings vary so much by niche and country, and how Shorts revenue works.