What is the YouTube thumbnail size in 2026?

YouTube now recommends 3840 × 2160 pixels in a 16:9 ratio, at least 640 px wide, as a JPG or PNG. The older 1280 × 720 still works and is what most guides list.

Is a YouTube thumbnail 1920 × 1080?

It can be. 1920 × 1080 is 16:9 and above the 640 px minimum, so YouTube takes it. YouTube's own recommendation is now 3840 × 2160.

Is a YouTube thumbnail 4:3 or 16:9?

16:9 for videos. For Shorts, YouTube asks for a 9:16 thumbnail.

How big can a YouTube thumbnail file be?

Up to 50 MB when you upload from a computer and 2 MB from the mobile app. The API that schedulers use also takes up to 50 MB.

What is the YouTube banner size?

2560 × 1440 pixels is recommended, and the minimum is 2048 × 1152 (16:9), up to 6 MB. Keep text and logos inside the center 1235 × 338, because phones crop the rest.

What is the YouTube profile picture size?

YouTube does not publish an upload size. It says the picture renders at 98 × 98 pixels and can be up to 15 MB. 800 × 800 is the size most people upload, and it shows as a circle.

What size is a YouTube Short?

YouTube asks for a square or vertical video of up to 3 minutes and publishes no pixel size. 1080 × 1920 (9:16) is the usual choice.

Can I add a custom thumbnail to a Short?

Yes, if your channel has it: it has been rolling out since July 2026, to Partner Program creators first. You set it in YouTube Studio on a computer, at 2160 × 3840 (9:16), and your account must be verified.

What aspect ratio should a YouTube video be?

16:9 for regular videos, for example 1920 × 1080 or 3840 × 2160. Other shapes play with padding on computers. Shorts are 9:16 or 1:1.

Why can't I upload a custom thumbnail?

Custom thumbnails need a verified account. Verify it with a phone number in YouTube, then upload a JPG or PNG under the size limit.

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YouTube thumbnail size and every channel size for 2026

Thumbnails are 16:9. YouTube now recommends 3840 × 2160, and the old 1280 × 720 still works. Banners are 2560 × 1440 with the text in the middle, and Shorts are 1080 × 1920.

Start Free Trial Read the short answer

Checked on October 17, 2026 against 9 sources.

Thumbnail

Use it for: Video thumbnails
In the app: 50 MB on a computer, 2 MB on mobile
Via schedulers: JPEG or PNG, up to 50 MB
Note: Needs a verified account

The short answer

Make thumbnails 3840 × 2160 (16:9). 1280 × 720 still works.

YouTube's Help Center says a custom thumbnail should be "as large as possible": 3840 × 2160 for videos, at least 640 px wide, in a 16:9 ratio, as a JPG or PNG. From a computer the file can be up to 50 MB, from the mobile app 2 MB. The old 1280 × 720 is still well above the minimum. You need a verified account to upload your own thumbnail.

Schedulers set thumbnails through YouTube's API, which also takes JPEG or PNG files up to 50 MB. Channel banners are 2560 × 1440 (at least 2048 × 1152), with text and logos inside the center 1235 × 338. Shorts are vertical or square; 1080 × 1920 is the usual size.

Thumbnail: 3840 × 2160; 16:9, 1280 × 720 still works
Banner: 2560 × 1440; Text in the center 1235 × 338
Shorts: 1080 × 1920; 9:16, square also counts

Every size

Every YouTube size in one table. In pixels, width × height.

YouTube image and video sizes in pixels with aspect ratios and file limits, October 2026
Format	Size (px)	Aspect ratio	Notes
Video thumbnail	3840 × 2160	16:9	At least 640 px wide; JPG or PNG; 50 MB on a computer, 2 MB on mobile
Thumbnail, older standard	1280 × 720	16:9	Still above the minimum; fine for most screens
Shorts thumbnail	2160 × 3840	9:16	At least 640 px tall; YouTube Studio on a computer
Long video	1920 × 1080 or 3840 × 2160	16:9	Other ratios play with padding
Short	1080 × 1920	9:16 or 1:1	Up to 3 minutes; YouTube publishes no pixel size
Channel banner	2560 × 1440	16:9	At least 2048 × 1152, up to 6 MB; safe area 1235 × 338
Profile photo	800 × 800	1:1	Commonly used; renders at 98 × 98, up to 15 MB
Video watermark	150 × 150	1:1	The minimum; square, under 1 MB

Sizes from YouTube's Help Center and the YouTube Data API reference, read on October 17, 2026. YouTube publishes no upload size for the profile photo and no pixel size for Shorts; those rows show the common figures.

App vs schedulers

What YouTube Studio allows, and what a scheduled post must fit. Schedulers publish through the YouTube Data API.

YouTube image and video limits in YouTube Studio compared with the YouTube Data API used by scheduling tools
Limit	YouTube Studio	Schedulers (the API)
Thumbnail file	50 MB on a computer, 2 MB on mobile	Up to 50 MB
Thumbnail format	JPG or PNG	JPEG or PNG
Who can set a thumbnail	Verified accounts	Accounts allowed to set custom thumbnails; others get an error
Shorts thumbnail	On a computer, verified accounts	Not documented
Video file	256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less	256 GB
Banner	At least 2048 × 1152, 6 MB	Same spec, but post schedulers do not set it

Every scheduler, OmniSocials included, publishes through the YouTube Data API, so the right column is what a scheduled upload must fit. OmniSocials publishes Shorts only and sends a cover as a JPEG at up to 1080 × 1920, within 2 MB.

What changed

What changed for YouTube images. Bigger thumbnails, and thumbnails for Shorts.

Jul 2026
Custom thumbnails for Shorts
Neal Mohan: "Custom thumbnails for Shorts are rolling out to all @YouTube Partner Program creators." The Help Center lists 2160 × 3840, set in YouTube Studio on a computer. Source
Mar 2026
Thumbnails up to 50 MB
The bigger limit YouTube announced in October 2025 reached YouTube Studio, first on computers (reported by Ubergizmo). The Help Center now recommends 3840 × 2160. Source
Oct 2025
4K thumbnails for TV
YouTube: "we'll expand the thumbnail file limit from 2MB to 50MB", to allow "4K-resolution thumbnails" on TV screens. Source
Oct 2024
Shorts up to 3 minutes
Square and vertical videos up to 3 minutes count as Shorts, up from 60 seconds. A 16:9 video stays a regular video. Source

Tips

Size it once, use it everywhere. Six rules that cover most uploads.

Design at 3840 × 2160
YouTube asks for thumbnails as large as possible. A 4K file stays sharp on TV and scales down cleanly to phones.
Check it at phone size
Most people see a thumbnail small. Zoom out to a few centimeters wide and make sure the text still reads.
Keep the bottom right clear
YouTube shows the video's length over the bottom right corner of a thumbnail. Keep faces and words away from it.
Upload big files from a computer
The mobile app takes thumbnails up to 2 MB. YouTube Studio on a computer takes up to 50 MB.
Put banner text in the middle
Phones show only a band across the center. Keep text and logos inside 1235 × 338 of a 2048 × 1152 banner.
Shoot Shorts vertical or square
Shape and length decide what is a Short. A 16:9 video under 3 minutes still uploads as a regular video.

Shorts covers

Pick a cover for each Short. OmniSocials sends it in a format YouTube takes.

Cover From Library
Frame Picker
9:16 Previews

Title & Tags
Privacy Settings
and more

Other platforms

The same guide for every network. Each one has its own rules.

Sources

How we built this guide. Checked on October 17, 2026.

Every size on this page comes from YouTube's Help Center or the YouTube Data API reference, read on October 17, 2026. Where YouTube publishes no number (the profile photo upload size, the pixel size of a Short), the page says so and labels the common figure. The 50 MB rollout date comes from press reports; the Help Center confirms the current limit.

YouTube Help: Add video thumbnails on YouTubeRead Oct 20263840 × 2160, 640 px minimum, 16:9, 50 MB on a computer, 2 MB on mobile; Shorts 2160 × 3840.
YouTube Help: Manage your channel brandingRead Oct 2026Banner, profile picture and watermark specs.
YouTube Help: Video resolution and aspect ratiosRead Oct 2026
YouTube Help: Upload YouTube ShortsRead Oct 2026
YouTube Data API: Thumbnails: setRead Oct 2026JPEG or PNG, up to 50 MB.
YouTube Data API: ChannelBanners: insertRead Oct 2026
YouTube Official Blog: 5 new features to help creators shine on TV screensOct 29, 2025
Ubergizmo: YouTube increases custom thumbnail upload limitMar 16, 2026
Neal Mohan on X: Custom thumbnails for Shorts are rolling outJul 24, 2026

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Last updated: October 18, 2026

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