Add up to 30 images (up to 50 MB each), pick one or more thumbnail sizes, and download a cropped thumbnail of every image in each size. The presets are YouTube HD (1280 × 720), 640 × 360, 320 × 180, Shorts and Reels (1080 × 1920), and squares of 300 and 150 pixels. You set the focal point for each crop, and the images are processed in your browser.
Create YouTube thumbnails that fit
A custom thumbnail is what viewers see before they decide to click, so it should be sharp and framed on the subject. This YouTube thumbnail generator crops any source image to the 1280 × 720 size YouTube recommends, around the point you choose.
The YouTube thumbnail standard
YouTube's help pages recommend 1280 × 720 pixels in a 16:9 ratio, with a minimum width of 640 pixels and a file size under 2 MB. The YouTube HD preset gives you exactly 1280 × 720. To stay under 2 MB, save as JPG and lower the quality slider (10 to 100, default 85) if the file is still too big.
Focal point control
Most source photos aren't 16:9, so something has to be cropped. Click the most important part of each image and the crop is placed around it. That keeps the speaker's face large in a talking-head video, the finished result visible in a tutorial, the product in frame for a review, or the key moment in a gaming clip. You can also set one position for the whole batch with the 3 × 3 grid.
Batch thumbnail creation
For a video series, add all the source images at once and every one is cropped to the same size, so the thumbnails on your channel match. Select more than one preset to get, for example, the 1280 × 720 thumbnail and a 1080 × 1920 Shorts cover from each image in the same run. Download them one by one or as a ZIP.
Tips for thumbnails people click
Bright, contrasting colors stand out against both the light and dark YouTube themes. Close-up, expressive faces and a single clear subject read well at small sizes. If you add text, keep it short and large. This tool handles the size and crop, and the image editor can add text before you resize.
Other video platforms
16:9 is also the usual shape for Vimeo, Twitch, Facebook and LinkedIn video thumbnails, so the 1280 × 720 output works there too. The square presets suit website cards, galleries and course listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact YouTube thumbnail size?
YouTube recommends 1280 × 720 pixels in a 16:9 ratio, at least 640 pixels wide, and under 2 MB. JPG and PNG are both accepted.
Can I add text to my thumbnail with this tool?
This tool only resizes and crops. Add text in the image editor first, then bring the result here to crop it to the exact YouTube size.
How do I make my thumbnail stand out?
Use strong contrast, a close-up face or one clear subject, and very little text in a large font. Small details disappear at thumbnail size, so leave them out.
Why is my YouTube thumbnail blurry?
Usually the source image is too small. Start from at least 1920 × 1080 so there is enough detail after cropping to 1280 × 720. The presets always produce the exact size, so a small source gets scaled up and looks soft. A quality of 80 to 90 also helps.
Can I create thumbnails for YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Shorts use a vertical 9:16 shape. Select the Shorts / Reels preset to get a 1080 × 1920 cover, alone or alongside the regular 1280 × 720 thumbnail.