What image sizes does YouTube use?
YouTube thumbnail 16:9 1280×720 (up to 2 MB).
EXACT SIZE. PRODUCT IN THE MIDDLE.
YouTube thumbnail size and auto-fit
YouTube recommends 3840x2160 thumbnails, at least 640 px wide, 16:9, JPG or PNG. Mobile uploads are capped at 2 MB (50 MB on desktop). 1280x720 is the long-standing size and small enough for every route.
1Pick platform and size
1280×720 px · ≤ 2 MB
Official: 3840x2160 recommended, 640 px minimum width, 16:9, JPG/PNG. 2 MB from mobile, 50 MB from desktop. 1280x720 is the long-standing common size.
Last verified 2026-09-29 · official figure · source
2Choose your photos
Preparing…
JPG · PNG · WebP · 10 maxUp to 10 images at a time
Up to 20 MB each · processed on your device
3Options
Choose photos to start.
Preparing…
Photos are never uploaded. Everything happens in your browser.
4Results
Fitted photos appear here at exactly 1280×720 px.
YouTube image size table
| Use | Size (px) | Max file | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube thumbnail 16:9 | 1280 × 720 | 2 MB | Official: 3840x2160 recommended, 640 px minimum width, 16:9, JPG/PNG. 2 MB from mobile, 50 MB from desktop. 1280x720 is the long-standing common size.Official figure · Source |
Numbers last verified: 2026-09-29. Platforms change rules often; check the platform help page before an important upload.
How to use it
- Pick the YouTube size from the list. Defaults follow the table above.
- Drop your product photos, several at once (10 at a time for free).
- Choose how to fit: pad to keep the whole image, crop to fill the frame, or centre the product with empty edges trimmed.
- Choose the file type and the maximum file size, then press "Fit images".
- Download each image or everything as a ZIP. Nothing is uploaded anywhere.
YouTube checklist
- Stay at 16:9; anything else gets bars or a crop.
- Keep text readable even when shrunk to 160 px wide.
- Leave the lower-right corner clear; YouTube overlays the duration badge there.
- Uploading from a phone? Choose JPG and target 2 MB.
Good to know
- Centre product works on a plain solid or transparent background, such as a white sweep. On a real scene or a gradient it pads instead and tells you on the result.
- The size cap lowers JPG/WebP quality only as much as needed; the pixel size never changes. PNG cannot be compressed by quality.
- Your originals are untouched. Results are new files with EXIF and location data left out.
Frequently asked questions
What is the file-size limit for YouTube images?
The file-size ceilings used here are 2 MB, depending on the size in the table. Set the maximum file size and the tool lowers JPG/WebP quality only as much as needed, without changing the pixel size. PNG cannot be compressed by quality.
Where do these sizes come from, and how reliable are they?
Read from the platform's own help pages: YouTube thumbnail 16:9. Sources: support.google.com. Last checked 2026-09-29. Sizes can change, so check your seller account before a big campaign.
Are my photos uploaded when I fit them for YouTube?
No. Fitting runs in your browser. Your originals are untouched, results are new files without EXIF or location data, and up to 10 images at a time are free.