YouTube size guide · checked November 2026
YouTube thumbnail size, banner size and more
Quick answer
YouTube thumbnail size is 1280 × 720 px (16:9), at least 640 px wide and under 2 MB. The YouTube banner (channel art) is 2560 × 1440 px, with text and logos kept inside the central 1546 × 423 px safe area.
Every YouTube size in one table
| Format | Size (px) | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video thumbnail JamFrame preset | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 | JPEG, PNG or GIF under 2 MB, at least 640 px wide. |
| Channel banner JamFrame preset | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 | Upload at least 2048 × 1152 px, up to 6 MB. Only the middle strip shows on every device. Safe area: 1546 × 423 px. |
| Shorts JamFrame preset | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 | Vertical 9:16 video. |
| Video | 1920 × 1080 | 16:9 | Standard 16:9 HD video. |
| Profile picture | 800 × 800 | 1:1 | Shown as a small circle. |
The sizes, to scale
Each box has the real shape of the format. Dashed areas are the parts that show everywhere.
Tips for YouTube images
- Make thumbnail text readable at phone size: a few large words beat a sentence.
- Keep anything important in the channel banner inside the 1546 × 423 px safe area. TVs show the whole banner; phones show only the middle.
- Leave the bottom-right corner of a thumbnail clear, where YouTube shows the video length.
- Save thumbnails as JPEG to stay under the 2 MB limit.
Questions
YouTube size questions
What is the YouTube thumbnail size?
1280 × 720 px, a 16:9 ratio. The file must be under 2 MB and at least 640 px wide.
What is the YouTube banner size?
2560 × 1440 px. Upload at least 2048 × 1152 px and keep text and logos within the central 1546 × 423 px, which shows on every device.
What size is a YouTube Shorts video?
1080 × 1920 px, a vertical 9:16 ratio.
Why is my YouTube banner cut off?
Phones and desktops show only a strip across the middle of the banner. Move text and logos into the 1546 × 423 px safe area.
Stop resizing by hand.
Design once, and JamFrame makes every size for every network, by hand, from a sheet or by API.