Free · private · nothing uploaded
Make a YouTube thumbnail the right size
Turn any image into a 1280 × 720 thumbnail, the size YouTube recommends, and keep the file under 2 MB so it uploads from your phone too. Free and private.
YouTube sizes this tool uses
| Use | Size |
|---|---|
| Custom thumbnail (16:9) | 1280 × 720 px, under 2 MB |
| Smallest width YouTube accepts | 640 px |
Pick the size from the list above the drop zone. If your photo is a different shape, it's cropped to fill from the centre, or you can fit it inside and add a border instead. Several photos at once come back in one ZIP.
Why the exact size matters
YouTube shows thumbnails everywhere from phones to TVs. A 16:9 image at 1280 × 720 looks crisp in all of them, and YouTube rejects thumbnails over 2 MB when you upload from a phone. This tool lowers the JPG quality a step at a time until the file fits.
Your photos stay on your device
Most resizers upload your photo to their server first. This one does the work in your browser, so nothing is sent anywhere. Resizing also leaves out the hidden location and camera details that phones save inside photos.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a YouTube thumbnail?
1280 × 720 pixels, a 16:9 shape, with a minimum width of 640 pixels.
What is the file size limit?
YouTube’s limit for thumbnails uploaded from a phone is 2 MB. We keep the file under that so it works wherever you upload from.
Should I use PNG or JPG?
Either works. JPG is the safer choice for staying under 2 MB; PNGs that are too big are saved as JPG automatically.
Is my image uploaded?
No. It’s resized in your browser and never leaves your device.
More free tools
See every Inkwell Media tool, or drop a photo into the free check-up to see what it gives away before you share it.