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YouTube thumbnail size

Crop any picture to the recommended YouTube thumbnail size of 1280 × 720 pixels, so it looks sharp on TVs and is never stretched.

Your files never leave your device. Everything runs in your browser.

How it works

  1. Add your Drop the image, choose a file or paste it with Ctrl+V.
  2. Set the cropDrag the frame or type exact pixel values. The dark area is what gets removed.
  3. Download the Download the result, or continue with compressing, resizing or converting it.

What YouTube wants

YouTube recommends custom thumbnails of 1280 × 720 pixels in 16:9, at least 640 pixels wide, as JPG, PNG or GIF and no larger than 2 MB. Thumbnails in other shapes get black bars or are cropped by YouTube in places you did not choose.

The 1280 × 720 size is selected on this page. If the file is still above 2 MB, compress it afterwards with the next step button.

Thumbnails that get clicks

Use a close face, few large words and strong contrast. The bottom right corner is covered by the video length, so keep text away from it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the YouTube thumbnail size?

1280 × 720 pixels (16:9), minimum width 640 pixels, maximum 2 MB.

My thumbnail is over 2 MB, what now?

Use the compressor in the next step; at 1280 × 720 a JPG is usually far below 2 MB.

Is my image uploaded?

No. Cropping happens in your browser. Your images are not sent to our servers.

Does cropping reduce quality?

No. The kept area is saved at its original resolution. Only when you choose a ready made size is the image scaled to that exact size.

How do I make a round profile picture?

Choose the circle shape. The frame becomes a square with a round preview, and the image is saved as PNG with transparent corners.

Can I crop on my phone?

Yes. The frame and its handles work with touch, and the handles get bigger on touch screens.

Does it work offline?

Yes. After you open the page once, you can crop images without an internet connection.