YouTube thumbnail size: 1280x720, under 2 MB (and how to make it readable)
Short answer
Use 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9), minimum 640 px wide, under 2 MB as JPG, PNG or GIF. On a phone, a thumbnail in the feed can be about 168 px wide, so use 2 to 5 big words, strong contrast, and keep text out of the bottom-right corner where the video length badge sits.
Copy-paste code
Thumbnail checklist
Size: 1280 x 720 (16:9), under 2 MB, JPG or PNG
Shorts / Reels / TikTok cover: 1080 x 1920 (9:16)
Text: 2-5 words, thick font, outline or dark overlay
Avoid: bottom-right corner (length badge)
Check: shrink it to 168 px wide. Still readable?Good to know
Contrast ratio of 4.5:1 or more keeps text readable.
Use your own photos; no tool can promise more views.
Coverwick: Thumbnails that still read at phone size
from $6.99Coverwick makes 1280x720 thumbnails and 1080x1920 covers in your browser with a phone-size readability check and safe-zone guides. Free PNG with no watermark.
Secure checkout · 14-day fix-or-refund if it doesn't work as described (terms)Questions
What file type?
JPG is smallest; PNG keeps sharp text.
Shorts thumbnail size?
Shorts use a 1080x1920 cover; keep text out of the top bar and bottom caption area.
Related answers
Shorts, Reels and TikTok covers: 1080x1920 and where to keep textCover size for YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok is 1080x1920 (9:16). Where the app's buttons and capTikTok hooks: 12 formats with examplesHook formats for TikTok, Reels and Shorts with fill-in examples, how long a hook should be, and a free hook ge