# YouTube thumbnail size and every channel size for 2026

> Thumbnails 3840 x 2160 (16:9), 1280 x 720 still works. Banners 2560 x 1440 with text in the center 1235 x 338. Shorts 1080 x 1920. Every YouTube size.

Page: https://omnisocials.com/youtube-image-sizes
Checked: October 17, 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.

## 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)

## Pick a format to see its size and what gets cropped

| Format | Size (px) | Aspect ratio | Use it for | In the app | Via schedulers | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thumbnail | 3840 x 2160 | 16:9 | Video thumbnails | 50 MB on a computer, 2 MB on mobile | JPEG or PNG, up to 50 MB | Needs a verified account |
| Banner | 2560 x 1440 | 16:9 | The channel header | At least 2048 × 1152, up to 6 MB | Set in YouTube Studio | 2560 × 1440 is recommended for TV |
| Video | 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | Long videos | 16:9, up to 3840 × 2160 and beyond | Files up to 256 GB | Other shapes get padding |
| Short | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Shorts | Square or vertical, up to 3 minutes | The same; YouTube sorts by shape and length | YouTube publishes no pixel size |
| Shorts thumbnail | 2160 x 3840 | 9:16 | A Short's custom thumbnail | YouTube Studio on a computer only | Not documented for Shorts | Partner Program creators first, Jul 2026 |
| Profile photo | 800 x 800 | 1:1 | Your channel picture | Up to 15 MB, shows at 98 × 98 | Set in YouTube Studio | 800 × 800 is common, not published |
| Watermark | 150 x 150 | 1:1 | The subscribe mark on videos | At least 150 × 150, under 1 MB | Set in YouTube Studio | Not shown on made-for-kids videos |

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

| 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.

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

| 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 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. (https://x.com/nealmohan/status/2080684444630032578)
- **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. (https://www.ubergizmo.com/2026/03/youtube-increases-custom-thumbnail)
- **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. (https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/new-features-to-help-creators/)
- **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. (https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15424877)

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

1. **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.
2. **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.
3. **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.
4. **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.
5. **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.
6. **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.

## Schedule it with OmniSocials

Pick a cover for each Short. OmniSocials sends it in a format YouTube takes. OmniSocials schedules posts to YouTube and 11 more networks from one calendar, and AI agents (Claude, ChatGPT and others) can plan and schedule through its MCP server. $10 per seat a month billed yearly, $12 monthly; 14-day free trial, a card is needed to start it. https://omnisocials.com/pricing

## Sources and method

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 YouTube](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72431), Read Oct 2026. 3840 × 2160, 640 px minimum, 16:9, 50 MB on a computer, 2 MB on mobile; Shorts 2160 × 3840.
- YouTube Help, [Manage your channel branding](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10456525), Read Oct 2026. Banner, profile picture and watermark specs.
- YouTube Help, [Video resolution and aspect ratios](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6375112), Read Oct 2026
- YouTube Help, [Upload YouTube Shorts](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15424877), Read Oct 2026
- YouTube Data API, [Thumbnails: set](https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/docs/thumbnails/set), Read Oct 2026. JPEG or PNG, up to 50 MB.
- YouTube Data API, [ChannelBanners: insert](https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/docs/channelBanners/insert), Read Oct 2026
- YouTube Official Blog, [5 new features to help creators shine on TV screens](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/new-features-to-help-creators/), Oct 29, 2025
- Ubergizmo, [YouTube increases custom thumbnail upload limit](https://www.ubergizmo.com/2026/03/youtube-increases-custom-thumbnail), Mar 16, 2026
- Neal Mohan on X, [Custom thumbnails for Shorts are rolling out](https://x.com/nealmohan/status/2080684444630032578), Jul 24, 2026

## Related guides

- [Best time to post on YouTube](https://omnisocials.com/best-time-to-post-on-youtube)
- [How often to post on YouTube](https://omnisocials.com/how-often-to-post-on-youtube)
- [YouTube character limits](https://omnisocials.com/youtube-character-limits)
- [YouTube video lengths](https://omnisocials.com/youtube-video-lengths)
- [YouTube hashtag limits](https://omnisocials.com/youtube-hashtag-limits)
- [Schedule YouTube posts](https://omnisocials.com/youtube)
- [Connect YouTube](https://omnisocials.com/help-center/integrations/youtube)
- [Create a post](https://omnisocials.com/help-center/creating-content/create-post)
- [MCP server](https://omnisocials.com/mcp)
- [REST API](https://omnisocials.com/api)
- [API reference](https://docs.omnisocials.com)

## FAQ

### 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.