Add video thumbnails on YouTube

Video thumbnails let viewers run into a quick snapshot of your video as they're browsing YouTube. After your video is finished uploading, you can choose a thumbnail from the three options YouTube automatically generates, or upload your own if your account is verified.

Add or modify a video thumbnail

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the left menu, select Content.
  3. Select a video by clicking its thumbnail.
  4. Choose an auto-generated thumbnail and select Save.

Note: Information technology may take time for your thumbnail changes to announced on YouTube.

Create a custom video thumbnail

To upload custom thumbnails on YouTube, you must have a verified account.

New videos

Uploaded videos

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the left menu, select Content.
  3. Select a video past clicking its thumbnail.
  4. Under "Thumbnail", select Upload thumbnail.
  5. Choose the file you'd like to use as your custom thumbnail.
  6. Select Save.

Once you've added a custom thumbnail, indicate to it and click More  to download or edit the thumbnail.

Sentinel how to add a custom video thumbnail

Lookout man the following video from the YouTube Creators aqueduct if you lot'd like a tutorial on how to add a custom video thumbnail on YouTube.

How to Add Custom Thumbnails to Your YouTube Videos

Custom thumbnail best practices

Image size & resolution

Your custom thumbnail image should be as large equally possible. Information technology will exist used as the preview epitome in the embedded player. Nosotros recommend your custom thumbnails:

  • Have a resolution of 1280x720 (with minimum width of 640 pixels).
  • Be uploaded in image formats such as JPG, GIF, or PNG.
  • Remain under the 2MB limit.
  • Try to use a 16:nine aspect ratio as it'southward the almost used in YouTube players and previews.

Thumbnail policies

All custom thumbnail images must follow our Community Guidelines. Your thumbnails may be rejected and a strike on your account when information technology contains:

  • Nudity or sexually provocative content
  • Hate Oral communication
  • Violence
  • Harmful or unsafe content

If a strike is issued, you'll get an email and run across an warning in your Channel Settings the next time you sign in to YouTube. You can appeal the strike if you think your thumbnails don't violate the YouTube Community Guidelines. If your appeal is canonical and you oasis't already replaced the thumbnail, we may restore it.

Custom thumbnail limits

In that location's a limit to how many custom thumbnails a channel can upload each solar day. If you go an mistake saying "Daily custom thumbnail limit reached" when trying to upload a thumbnail, effort again in 24 hours.

Limits may vary by state/region or channel history. Copyright strikes may impact channel history eligibility. Community Guidelines strikes volition bear on how many custom thumbnails you lot can upload.

Why are my custom thumbnails turned off?

YouTube may turn off custom thumbnails for certain search results when they're considered inappropriate for viewers.

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