YouTube Image Size Checker: thumbnails, banners and profile pictures
Check thumbnails, banners, profile pictures and watermarks against YouTube's sizes, with previews.
- Free to use
- Runs in your browser
- No sign-up
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About the YouTube Image Size Checker
Choose what the image is for and pick the file. The checker reads its pixel size, shape, format and file size in your browser and compares them with YouTube's specifications for video and Shorts thumbnails, channel banners, profile pictures and video watermarks. You see the image at small sizes, the banner's safe area for text and logos, and the round crop of a profile picture. The image is never uploaded.
How it works
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Step 1
Choose the kind of image: video thumbnail, Shorts thumbnail, channel banner, profile picture or watermark.
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Step 2
Pick the file from your computer or phone. It stays on your device.
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Step 3
Fix what is flagged and look at the previews before you upload the image to YouTube.
YouTube's image sizes
YouTube recommends video thumbnails of 3840 × 2160 pixels, at least 640 wide, in a 16:9 shape, as JPG or PNG up to 50 MB (2 MB in the mobile app). Channel banners must be at least 2048 × 1152 and 6 MB or smaller, with text and logos inside the central 1235 × 338 safe area. Watermarks must be at least 150 × 150 pixels and under 1 MB.
Profile pictures and Shorts
Profile pictures are shown at 98 × 98 pixels in a circle, and can be JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG, but not animated GIFs. Shorts thumbnails use a 9:16 shape: YouTube recommends 2160 × 3840 pixels with a minimum height of 640. Custom thumbnails need a verified YouTube account.
What this tool cannot do
It checks the file, not the design: it cannot tell whether your text is readable or the image suits the video. It does not upload anything to YouTube. YouTube changes its specifications from time to time; this tool follows YouTube Help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best YouTube thumbnail size?
YouTube recommends 3840 × 2160 pixels in a 16:9 shape, and accepts thumbnails at least 640 pixels wide. Save it as JPG or PNG. From a computer the file can be up to 50 MB; in the mobile app the limit is 2 MB, so keep a smaller copy if you upload from your phone.
What size is a YouTube channel banner?
At least 2048 × 1152 pixels, in a 16:9 shape, and 6 MB or smaller; YouTube recommends 2560 × 1440. Keep text and logos inside the central 1235 × 338 area, because the rest may be cropped on some screens. The checker draws that safe area over your image.
Why is my YouTube profile picture cut off?
YouTube shows it at 98 × 98 pixels in a circle, so the corners are cut off and small text becomes hard to read. Use a square image with the logo or face in the centre and space around it. The checker shows the round crop at small sizes, so you can see what viewers will see.
Why can I not upload a custom thumbnail?
Custom thumbnails need a verified account: verify your channel with a phone number in YouTube Studio first. Then check the file is JPG or PNG and within the size limit, 50 MB from a computer or 2 MB in the mobile app.
What size should a YouTube watermark be?
At least 150 × 150 pixels, square, and under 1 MB. A simple logo on a transparent background suits it, because the watermark sits over the corner of your videos. You can show it for the last 15 seconds, from a time you choose, or for the whole video.
Sources and checks
Rules last checked
The YouTube Image Size Checker follows these official pages:
- Add custom thumbnails on YouTube (support.google.com)
- Manage your channel branding (support.google.com)
Scores, limits and suggestions marked "our checklist", "our measure" or "our suggestion" are ours, not Google's or the platform's. How our tools work
Related reading
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