Viewers decide in a second. Upload a thumbnail (it never leaves your device), add your title and channel name, and see the video the way people will meet it: on a phone feed, a desktop home page, in search and in the Up next list, in both light and dark.
How to use it
- Add your title and channel name.
- Drop in your thumbnail image. Everything happens locally in your browser.
- Check each placement. A red badge means the title is cut off there.
- Read the thumbnail checks for size, shape, file weight, brightness and contrast, then try again.
How it works
The previews use the same proportions as YouTube layouts at common sizes, and detect truncation by measuring the real rendered text. The thumbnail checks look at resolution (YouTube recommends 1280 x 720 with a minimum width of 640 pixels), the 16:9 ratio, the 2 MB upload limit and a simple brightness and contrast analysis of the pixels.
Layouts change over time and differ by device, so treat the previews as a close guide, not a pixel-exact copy.
Frequently asked questions
What thumbnail size does YouTube recommend?
1280 x 720 pixels (16:9), at least 640 pixels wide, under 2 MB, in JPG, GIF or PNG format.
Is my image uploaded?
No. It is read in your browser only and disappears when you close the page.
Why does contrast matter?
Thumbnails are often seen at the size of a postage stamp. High contrast and a clear focal point stay readable when small.
Want more people to see your next video? Explore our promotion packages, or read the Growth Journal.
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