2025 Video Thumbnail Size Guide
T
TryWith.ai
Tech Lead
Jan 10, 2024 3 min read
1280px720pxTime Stamp Zone
You can have the best design in the world, but if it's blurry or cropped incorrectly, it fails.
The Golden Numbers
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 | Minimum width is 640px. 1920x1080 is also accepted but usually unnecessary. |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | Standard widescreen format. |
| File Size | < 2 MB | Strict limit. Compress if needed. |
| Format | JPG, PNG, GIF | WebP is supported by YouTube now, but JPG is safest for compatibility. |
The "Danger Zone"
The bottom-right corner of your thumbnail is dead space. YouTube overlays the video duration timestamp here.
Never put text or crucial visual elements in the bottom-right corner.
Mobile Cropping
On some mobile views, thumbnails may be cropped slightly at the edges. Keep all text and faces within a "safe zone" about 50px from the edges.
Testing for Scale
Always zoom out. View your thumbnail at 10% size. Can you still read the text? Can you still understand the emotion on the face?
Most views come from mobile. If it looks good on your 27" monitor but bad on an iPhone SE, it's a bad thumbnail.