TikTok Thumbnail Dimensions
The TikTok thumbnail (cover image) size is 1080 × 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio — same as the video itself. The thumbnail shows on your profile grid, search results, and external embeds.
Profile Grid Crop
Your TikTok profile grid shows a 1:1 (square) crop centered on the original 9:16 cover. The top 420 px and bottom 420 px get cut off in grid view:
- Center 1080 × 1080 area: Always visible (feed AND grid)
- Top 420 px: Visible in feed, hidden on grid
- Bottom 420 px: Visible in feed, hidden on grid
Place key visuals, faces, and core text in the center 1080 × 1080 area so the thumbnail works on both views.
Title Auto-Overlay
TikTok automatically overlays the first line of your video caption on top of the cover at the bottom ~270 px. This auto-overlay:
- Uses white text with a subtle drop shadow
- Cannot be hidden or repositioned
- Covers anything you put in the bottom 270 px
Don't put logos, faces, or important text in the bottom area — it'll be invisible behind the auto-title.
How to Upload a Custom Cover
By default, TikTok picks a random frame as your cover. To upload a custom one:
- During posting, tap the cover frame at the top of the screen
- Choose "Select Cover" to either pick a frame from your video timeline OR upload a separate image
- Custom cover image must be 1080 × 1920 (9:16)
- You can also add text directly in TikTok's editor, but that gets layered on top of the auto-title
What Makes a High-CTR TikTok Thumbnail
- Clear focal point at 200 × 350 px (profile thumbnail size)
- Bold text in the center, above the auto-title overlay area
- Strong color contrast — bright color on dark or vice versa
- Face or character with emotion — humans look at faces first
File Format
- PNG: Sharp text, logos, illustrated covers
- JPG: Photo-based covers, screen captures
- Color mode: sRGB
- Max file: 20 MB
Tips for Better TikTok Covers
- Always upload a custom cover — don't let TikTok pick a motion-blurred frame
- Design at exactly 1080 × 1920
- Place key visuals in the center 1080 × 1080 (works for grid + feed)
- Avoid the bottom 270 px (auto-title overlay area)
- Use PNG for text-heavy covers, JPG for photos
- Test legibility at 200 × 350 px (profile thumbnail size)
- Need to crop a frame? Use our image resizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TikTok thumbnail size?
TikTok thumbnail / cover size is 1080 × 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio — same as the video itself. This is what shows on your profile grid and in search results.
Does TikTok automatically generate a thumbnail?
Yes. By default, TikTok picks a frame from your video as the thumbnail. You can override this by uploading a custom cover during posting (Edit Cover step) or selecting a different frame from the video timeline.
What gets cropped on the TikTok profile grid?
The profile grid shows a 1:1 (square) crop centered on the original 9:16 cover. The top 420 px and bottom 420 px of your cover are invisible on the grid. Place key visuals in the center 1080 × 1080 area to survive both feed and grid display.
Where does TikTok put the title text overlay?
TikTok auto-overlays the video title (caption first line) on top of the cover at the bottom ~270 px. Avoid placing logos, faces, or important text in that area — it gets covered by white auto-generated title text.
Can I upload a custom cover for a TikTok video?
Yes. During the posting flow, tap "Edit Cover" to either select a frame from the video or upload a separate cover image. The image must be 1080 × 1920 (9:16). Uploading a custom cover beats letting TikTok pick a random frame.
What file format should I use for a TikTok cover?
Use PNG for covers with sharp text or logos — keeps text readable. Use JPG for photo-heavy covers to keep file size small. Save in sRGB color mode at under 5 MB.
Why does my TikTok cover look low quality?
Low-quality covers usually come from uploading below 1080 × 1920, using a non-sRGB color profile, or letting TikTok auto-pick a motion-blurred frame. Always upload a custom 1080 × 1920 cover in sRGB.
What makes a great TikTok thumbnail?
High-CTR covers share four traits: (1) clear focal point recognizable at 200 × 350 px (profile thumbnail size), (2) bold text in the center area (above the auto-title overlay), (3) strong color contrast, and (4) face or character with clear emotion. Avoid the bottom 270 px — it gets covered by title text.