YouTube thumbnail design

YouTube's thumbnail requirements

Readable at small sizes

Thumbnails are often seen at a fraction of their full size. Use one clear focal point, such as a face, a product or a result, strong contrast between subject and background, and no more than a few large words. Fine detail and long titles disappear when small. Check every thumbnail at the size it appears in search results on a phone before publishing.

Honest to the video

The thumbnail should show what the video delivers. Exaggerated expressions, misleading images or promises the video does not keep may win a click but lose the viewer quickly, and can harm trust in your business. YouTube's help also notes that Community Guidelines strikes can remove the ability to use custom thumbnails, so thumbnails should stay within its rules.

A consistent channel style

Using the same fonts, colours and layout across videos makes your channel recognisable in a list of results. A series, such as weekly tips or product guides, can have its own variation within the channel style. A template with a fixed area for the title words and a space for the main image keeps thumbnails consistent and quick to make.

Making a thumbnail

1. 01

   Pick the point

   What the video delivers, in a few words.

   Output: Thumbnail idea

2. 02

   Choose the image

   A still from the video or a dedicated photo.

   Output: Main image

3. 03

   Apply template

   Channel style, few large words.

   Output: Draft

4. 04

   Check small

   View at search-result size on a phone.

   Output: Approved

5. 05

   Export

   To YouTube's size and file limits.

   Output: Final file

Example: thumbnails for a kitchen fitter's channel

Before uploading

Shorts and podcasts

YouTube's help gives different ratios for Shorts, 9:16 with a resolution of 2160 x 3840, and for podcast playlists, 1:1. Design these as separate formats rather than cropping a 16:9 thumbnail.

Checking results

YouTube Studio reports how often thumbnails are shown and how often they are clicked. Compare similar videos over time rather than drawing conclusions from one. If a thumbnail is clicked often but viewers leave quickly, it may be promising something the video does not deliver.

Words on thumbnails

The title appears next to the thumbnail, so the thumbnail does not need to repeat it. A few words that add to the title, such as the result or the product name, can work better than the full title squeezed in.

People in thumbnails

A clear face can help a thumbnail stand out, but only if the person agreed to be shown and the expression fits the video. Use natural, honest expressions rather than exaggerated ones. Keep a record of who agreed, and replace thumbnails if someone later asks to be removed.