Size Matters: Catch More Eyes by YouTube Thumbnail Size

Unlock your video's potential with the perfect YouTube thumbnail size! Let your content stand out in the search results and suggested feeds for maximum impact and reach.

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youtube thumbnail size
CapCut
CapCut2024-03-25
0 min(s)

A perfect YouTube thumbnail size has become crucial to display your message in a way that can influence the viewer's decision to open up your video and engage with it. So, in this article, we'll share with you the correct dimensions for the YT thumbnail, how to create one with simple steps, and what more you can do with it for improvement.


a YouTube thumbnail
Table of content

What you must know about YouTube thumbnail size

A well-designed YouTube thumbnail acts as the cover photo of your video, attracts your viewers, and conveys the essence of your content. It offers a preview that entices your audience to click and watch your videos, increasing your click-through rate and engagement.

The recommended dimensions for video thumbnail YouTube size are 1280 pixels by 720 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Its file size should be under 2MB with GIF, JPEG, or PNG format to ensure optimal loading times and compatibility on the platform. These dimensions help you correctly display your YT video preview image across various devices, such as phones, tablets, and computer screens.


YouTube thumbnail size

If you want to create the correct YT thumbnail size, the CapCut Online photo editor is there for your rescue. Let's find out how!

How to create a YouTube video thumbnail size freely

CapCut Online is an all-in-one toolkit that efficiently creates a thumbnail for YouTube size with its huge "Templates" library and powerful features like "Resize" and "Arrange."

  • Templates
  • CapCut Online provides pre-designed templates of various sizes, including a specific YouTube thumbnail size. Simply select the "YouTube Thumbnail" option from the drop-down menu next to Current Size in the "Template" section, and you'll get tons of related presets. You can then customize these templates by replacing the image and text with your own content to achieve the desired look.
  • 
    YouTube thumbnail templates in CapCut Online
  • Resize
  • CapCut Online's free image resizer tool ensures that your thumbnail meets YouTube's recommended size requirements for optimal display. The editor allows you to either choose a preset size like "YouTube thumbnail" or enter specific dimensions under the Custom option to quickly adjust the image.
  • 
    resize tool in CapCut Online
  • Arrange
  • With the "Arrange" feature in CapCut Online, you can customize the layout of your thumbnail by adjusting the size and location of the picture on the canvas. It helps you correctly position the different elements on the canvas to create an appealing and stunning preview image for your YouTube videos.
  • 
    Arrange feature in CapCut Online

3 easy steps to achieve the thumbnail size for a YouTube video

Follow these three easy steps to quickly achieve the perfect YouTube thamble size with CapCut Online.

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    Step
  1. Select YouTube thumbnail size template and upload images
  2. In the first step, click the above link to enter the CapCut Online "Sign Up" page and select any of the given methods to create an absolutely free account.
  3. After successful registration, click "Image" and choose "New Image" on the home screen to open a new canvas.
  4. 
    creating new image in CapCut Online
  5. Select "YouTube" from the recommended preset canvas sizes and choose "YouTube Thumbnail." Otherwise, enter the YouTube thumbnail ratio under the "Custom Size" and click "Create."
  6. 
    selecting the canvas size for YouTube thumbnail in CapCut Online
  7. Go to the "Templates" tab, search for "YouTube thumbnail," and choose a preset to design the preview image for your videos.
  8. 
    selecting a YouTube thumbnail template in CapCut Online
  9. Next, click "Upload" in the left menu panel and import your picture for the thumbnail from your computer, phone, Dropbox, MySpace, or Google Drive. You can also drag and drop.
  10. 
    Uploading image for YouTube thumbnail in CapCut Online
  11. Then, click the image in the template and select "Replace" to change it to the one you just uploaded. You can also simply drag the picture from the upload panel and drop it above the one in the template to replace it.
  12. Step
  13. Enrich the thumbnail
  14. Select "Stickers" from the left panel, search for any related element, and add it to the canvas.
  15. 
    Enrich the thumbnail
  16. Adjust its position and size on the image as you want, click the "Design" tab, and select any of the recommended colors to generate a color palette you can use on the thumbnail.
  17. Then, click "Text," choose a font style from the "Recommended" section, and edit the text box to add title or other details to the preview image.
  18. 
    adding text to YouTube thumbnail in CapCut Online
  19. Step
  20. Export

Finally, click "Export" and choose "Download" under "Save" to export your YouTube thumbnail to your computer.


exporting YouTube thumbnail from CapCut Online

You can now access your YouTube channel, import your video, and set the thumbnail for it before uploading it.

What can we do more for thumbnails in CapCut

CapCut Online is not just limited to the YouTube thumbnail resize function; it offers several other features to design the preview image for your videos creatively.


CapCut Online interface
  • Templates
  • Besides the YouTube thumbnail size, the "Templates" section in CapCut Online has many presets that you can use to create intro and end-screen images for your videos. The creative suite also allows you to apply the color and text theme of one template over the other to create a cohesive visual style across your channel.
  • 
    CapCut Online templates
  • Plenty of stickers, text fonts, and filters
  • CapCut Online has an exquisite library of stickers that are classified into individual elements and packs to help you quickly find the related one for your YouTube thumbnail. These stickers are highly customizable in terms of color, size, position, opacity, filter effect, light, and details.
  • 
    CapCut Online stickers

The editor also gives you access to customized font styles with unique letter shapes, thicknesses, spacing, and serifs to add text to your YouTube video preview image for free. You can personalize these fonts by changing their size, line and letter spacing, color, shadow, stroke, alignments, and background.


CapCut Online text options

It also has free photo filters that instantly turn your ordinary YT thumbnail into an exquisite masterpiece. They are classified into 6 categories and provide you with the option to adjust their intensity over the image.

  • Image generator
  • The "Image Generator" in CapCut Online eliminates the need to make new images or graphic elements for your YouTube thumbnail. All you need to do is provide the details in the description box, and this smart tool will intelligently generate 4 new pictures based on your specifications. You can then select the one you need and add it to your video preview image.
  • 
    CapCut Online image generator
  • Color picker
  • The "Color Picker" tool lets you precisely select a color from an image anywhere on your computer interface and add it to your YT video preview picture. It also has the option to enter the color RBG values or Hex code to get the exact shade of different elements on the canvas. This feature is invaluable for ensuring color consistency and coordination within thumbnails.
  • 
    CapCut Online color picker
  • Remove background
  • CapCut Online's "Remove Background" option acts as a powerful photo background changer that automates the process of removing the backdrop from the main element in your YT thumbnail and lets you add another one to it. You can then use custom brushes to further fine-tune the edges of the subject.
  • 
    CapCut Online background remover
  • AI model
  • The "AI Model" plugin in the CapCut Online photo editor generates try-on images or visualizations from your uploaded pictures that showcase how your product will look on a model. It is very useful for e-commerce or product-focused YouTube thumbnails.
  • 
    CapCut Online AI model

Tips for improving YouTube thumbnails

If you want to gain more subscribers and viewers on YouTube, you can further improve the overall aesthetics of your video thumbnails with these simple tips:

  • Keep important elements in the center
  • While designing the thumbnail for your YouTube videos, it's important that the main subject or focal point, like your title or key image, is placed prominently in the center. It should give a clear idea of what your content is about and what the audience can expect from your video. This will help you grab viewers' attention quickly, especially on smaller screens or in thumbnail grids where it may appear smaller.
  • 
    a YouTube thumbnail
  • Eye-catching text
  • Another thing to consider is to use bold, eye-catching, and easily readable fonts on your thumbnail to ensure they are big enough to be visible on various devices. Do try to keep the text brief and to the point yet informative to convey the main idea of your content. You can also incorporate different font styles and colors for uniqueness in your YT video cover photo.
  • High-quality image
  • Always use sharp and attention-grabbing images for your thumbnails for clarity and visual appeal, even at a small size. The picture should also be directly relevant to the content of your video. This doesn't necessarily mean complex graphics; you can even use a simple, well-lit yet high-quality photo to make your content stand out in the YouTube search results or recommended feeds. If your thumbnail is blurry, you can sharpen the image using CapCut Online.

Conclusion

In this article, we've discussed what you must know about YouTube thumbnail size to get the most out of your video content on the platform.

We've also explored how CapCut Online offers a convenient solution to accurately resize and optimize the cover photo of your YT videos for free.

So, don't let poorly sized or unappealing thumbnails hold your content back; sign up on CapCut Online now to magnify your presence on YouTube.

FAQs

  1. How to make a picture to YouTube thumbnail size?
  2. To resize a picture for a YouTube thumbnail, upload it to CapCut Online and select "YouTube Thumbnail" under "YouTube" in the canvas size menu. Alternatively, click the canvas, choose "Resize" from the right menu, enter your custom dimensions, and click "Resize" or "Resize on New Page." Next, adjust the image on the canvas by dragging the handles and then, click "Text" to add textual content to your video preview picture.
  3. What size is the thumbnail size for youtube video?
  4. The recommended dimensions for video thumbnail size YouTube are 1280 pixels by 720 pixels, with a minimum width of 640 pixels. The image must have an aspect ratio of 16:9, a file size of 2MB, and GIF, JPEG/JPG, or PNG format. Also, make sure you upload a high-resolution picture to ensure the thumbnail looks crisp and clear on all devices.
  5. Why are youtube thumbnail dimensions important?
  6. Since the thumbnail serves as the preview image of your YouTube video, it is important to maintain its correct dimensions to enhance the visibility and engagement of your content. When you correctly resize the cover photo, your message is effectively conveyed, and people click more on your videos to watch them. It also helps you establish a recognizable visual identity for your channel and displays the image perfectly across various screen sizes and resolutions.
  7. What is youtube video thumbnail size?
  8. The recommended size for the thumbnail of a YouTube video is 1280 pixels (wide) x 720 pixels (tall), and an aspect ratio of 16:9. The file should be in GIF, PNG, or JPEG format and must be a maximum of 2MB size.
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