YouTube size guide

YouTube Thumbnail Size: Current Dimensions & Export Guide

For standard video, start at 3840×2160 in 16:9—then account for file limits and small-screen display.

Prepared and source-checked 2026-09-27

Current recommendation

YouTube currently recommends a 3840×2160 custom thumbnail for video (16:9). For Shorts, its help page lists 2160×3840 (9:16). Minimum width or height is 640 pixels. JPG and PNG are supported examples.

File-size and display caveats

The documented upload limit is 2 MB for video thumbnails on mobile and 50 MB for video, Shorts, or podcast thumbnails on desktop. YouTube may replace a 16:9 custom thumbnail on a vertical video with an automatically generated 4:5 image in some feeds.

Design checklist

Preview at small size, keep one focal subject, make text readable without relying on tiny detail, maintain honest visual context, and use the Aspect Ratio Calculator before exporting.

Sources and limits

YouTube thumbnails — first-party thumbnail dimensions, formats, and upload limits