YouTube Thumbnail Checker
Preview how your YouTube thumbnail looks in search results, suggested videos and on mobile.
About YouTube Thumbnail Checker
Upload or paste an image URL to preview your YouTube thumbnail exactly how it will look in search results and suggested videos on mobile.
About this calculator
Upload a thumbnail or paste its URL and preview how it will look in search results, suggested videos and on mobile.
Catch unreadable text and cropped faces before you publish.
How to use it
- Paste an image URL or upload a file.
- Press Preview.
- Check each size.
Thumbnail best practice
YouTube recommends 1280×720 pixels (16:9), at least 640 pixels wide, under 2 MB for JPG, PNG or GIF. On phones a thumbnail is displayed at about 150 pixels wide, so text must be large, high-contrast and limited to roughly 3 to 4 words. The timestamp overlay covers the bottom-right corner.
Worked example
Checklist
| Size | 1280×720 |
| Format | JPG/PNG, under 2 MB |
| Text | 3 to 4 big words |
| Safe area | Avoid the bottom-right corner |
Tips and common mistakes
- Use close-up faces with clear emotion.
- Contrast beats detail at small size.
- Keep text away from the timestamp.
- A/B test with YouTube's 'Test & compare'.
- Match the thumbnail to the title.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a YouTube thumbnail?
1280×720 pixels.
What is the max file size?
2 MB.
What format?
JPG, PNG or GIF.
How much text should I use?
3 to 4 words.
Where does the timestamp appear?
Bottom-right corner.
Is it free?
Yes.