YouTube Image Resizer
Instant YouTube image resizing. Drop your image, get all 6 formats in 2 seconds. Perfect dimensions guaranteed.
Drop Image for Instant Resizing
Drag and drop an image, or click to select - resizing starts automatically
Supports JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP • Instant processing • All 6 YouTube formats
YouTube Image Size Guide
YouTube Thumbnail
1280 × 720px
Standard video thumbnail size (16:9)
Channel Banner
2560 × 1440px
YouTube channel banner/cover photo
Profile Picture
800 × 800px
Channel profile picture (1:1 ratio)
YouTube Shorts
1080 × 1920px
Shorts thumbnail (9:16 vertical)
End Screen
1280 × 720px
End screen elements (16:9)
Community Post
1200 × 675px
Community tab image posts
💡 Pro Tips
- • Use high-resolution source images for best quality
- • Keep important text away from edges for thumbnails
- • Use bright, contrasting colors for better visibility
- • Test your thumbnails on different devices
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Complete Guide to YouTube Image Sizes
YouTube Thumbnail Size and Best Practices
YouTube thumbnails should be 1280 × 720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This ensures your thumbnails look sharp on all devices and platforms. Thumbnails are crucial for click-through rates, so investing time in creating compelling, high-quality thumbnails is essential.
YouTube Channel Banner Dimensions
The recommended YouTube channel banner size is 2560 × 1440 pixels. However, the safe area that's visible on all devices is 1546 × 423 pixels. Keep your most important text and imagery within this safe zone to ensure it displays properly across desktop, mobile, and TV.
Complete YouTube Image Size Guide
| Image Type | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | File Size Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thumbnail | 1280 × 720 px | 16:9 | 2 MB |
| Channel Banner | 2560 × 1440 px | 16:9 | 6 MB |
| Profile Picture | 800 × 800 px | 1:1 | 4 MB |
| YouTube Shorts | 1080 × 1920 px | 9:16 | 2 MB |
| End Screen | 1280 × 720 px | 16:9 | 2 MB |
| Community Post | 1200 × 675 px | 16:9 | 32 MB |
YouTube Thumbnail Best Practices
- High contrast: Use bright, contrasting colors that stand out in search results
- Readable text: Keep text large and readable, even at small sizes
- Faces and emotions: Human faces with clear emotions often perform better
- Consistent branding: Maintain a consistent style across all your thumbnails
- No clickbait: Ensure your thumbnail accurately represents your content
- Test different styles: A/B test thumbnails to see what works for your audience
YouTube Channel Banner Tips
- Safe area: Keep important elements within 1546 × 423 pixels
- Upload schedule: Include your posting schedule if you have one
- Value proposition: Clearly communicate what viewers can expect
- Social links: YouTube allows you to add social media links to your banner area
- High resolution: Use the full 2560 × 1440 resolution for crisp display on 4K screens
YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Guidelines
YouTube Shorts thumbnails use a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio (1080 × 1920 pixels). Since Shorts often auto-generate thumbnails from your video, you may not always need a custom thumbnail. However, custom thumbnails can help your Shorts stand out in the Shorts shelf and search results.
Technical Requirements
- File formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP
- Color space: RGB (not CMYK)
- Resolution: Use exact pixel dimensions for best results
- Quality: Save at high quality (90%+ for JPG) to avoid compression artifacts
Common YouTube Image Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong dimensions: Using incorrect aspect ratios results in black bars or cropping
- Low resolution: Blurry images look unprofessional on high-resolution displays
- Text too small: Thumbnail text should be readable at 320px wide
- Cluttered design: Keep thumbnails simple and focused on one main element
- Inconsistent branding: Maintain visual consistency across your channel
How to Upload Images to YouTube
Uploading Thumbnails:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Select your video from the content tab
- Click on the thumbnail section
- Upload your custom thumbnail (requires verified account)
Updating Channel Art:
- Go to your YouTube channel
- Click "Customize Channel"
- Click the camera icon on your banner
- Upload your new banner image
- Adjust positioning and save
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best image format for YouTube?
PNG is best for thumbnails with text or graphics due to its lossless compression. JPG works well for photographic thumbnails. Both formats are widely supported.
Why can't I upload custom thumbnails?
Custom thumbnails require a verified YouTube account. Verify your account by adding a phone number in YouTube Studio under Channel > Verification.
Do YouTube Shorts need custom thumbnails?
YouTube Shorts automatically generate thumbnails from your video frames, but you can upload custom thumbnails if you have a verified account.
How often should I update my channel banner?
Update your channel banner when you have major announcements, seasonal content, or branding changes. Most channels update their banners 2-4 times per year.