YouTube Thumbnail Size - 1280x720
The thumbnail is the click. YouTube expects 1280x720 (16:9), JPG or PNG, under 2MB. Anything else gets scaled or pillarboxed with a blurred backdrop. The calculator below is locked to 16:9 and the table shows which sizes stay sharp at browse scales.
:
1920 × 1080
Exact ratio: 16:9 · CSS: aspect-ratio: 16 / 9 · padding-top fallback: 56.25%
Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Master | 1280x720 (16:9) |
| Min | 640x360 still accepted |
| Format | JPG / PNG |
| Max size | 2MB |
| Browse render | 336x188 (desktop), 640x360 (retina) |
| CSS | aspect-ratio: 16 / 9 |
Safe area and text
Keep titles in the center 90% so mobile crops and the duration badge (bottom-right) do not cover text. At 1280x720 that is ~1150x648 safe. Check legibility at 336px wide - if you cannot read it there, no one can.
Thumbnail vs Shorts
Thumbnail is 16:9 horizontal; Shorts is 9:16 vertical (1080x1920). Do not stretch one to the other - reframe or reshoot vertical. See YouTube Shorts size and 9:16 calculator.
Export checklist
- Canvas 1280x720 exactly - not 1920x1080 scaled down by YouTube.
- sRGB, JPG 85-90 for photos, PNG for flat text.
- Under 2MB - recompress if over.
- Test at 336px wide before upload.
Related
- 16:9 calculator
- What ratio is 1280x720?
- 1280x720 print size
- Heights for 1280 wide
- YouTube Shorts size
- CSS aspect-ratio guide
Tip: ratio never changes in export - 640x360, 1280x720 and 1920x1080 are all 16:9. Master at 1280, downscale for previews.