Create perfect video thumbnails for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and all major platforms
Standard YouTube thumbnail size
Choose your target platform (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.)
Upload your thumbnail to see safe zone overlay and quality score
Review dimensions, file size, and quality score for your thumbnail
Follow recommendations to create the perfect thumbnail
Dimensions: 1280×720 px (minimum), 1920×1080 px (recommended)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
File Size: Under 2MB
Format: JPG, PNG, GIF
The most critical thumbnail - invest time to make it stand out!
Dimensions: 1080×1080 px
Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square)
File Size: Under 8MB
Format: JPG, PNG
Square format works best in feeds and grid layout
Dimensions: 1080×1920 px
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
File Size: Under 4MB
Format: JPG, PNG
Vertical format optimized for mobile viewing
Dimensions: 1200×630 px (FB), 1200×675 px (X)
Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1, 16:9
File Size: Under 8MB (FB), 5MB (X)
Format: JPG, PNG
Optimized for social media sharing
Safe zones are areas where your content is guaranteed to be visible without being covered by platform UI elements (like play buttons, timestamps, profile pictures, or action buttons).
YouTube recommends 1280×720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) as the minimum, but 1920×1080 pixels is ideal for high-quality displays. The file must be under 2MB in JPG, PNG, or GIF format.
Different devices and apps may crop or scale thumbnails differently. This is why safe zones are important - they ensure your key content remains visible regardless of where the thumbnail appears. Always test thumbnails on multiple devices.
While possible, it's not recommended. Each platform has different aspect ratios and display contexts. YouTube uses 16:9, Instagram Feed uses 1:1, and Stories/TikTok use 9:16. Create platform-specific versions for best results, keeping your core branding consistent.
Great thumbnails combine: 1) Clear, bold text (3-5 words max), 2) High contrast and bright colors, 3) Human faces with expressions, 4) Visual curiosity or emotion, 5) Consistent branding, 6) Professional quality. Most importantly, thumbnails should accurately represent your content to build trust with your audience.
Use the quality slider in this tool to find the optimal balance. Generally, 80-85% JPEG quality provides excellent visual quality while keeping file sizes reasonable. You can also use online compression tools or image editing software. Avoid saving thumbnails as PNG unless you need transparency, as JPEGs are typically smaller for photographic content.
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