Thumbnail Size Guide
Every thumbnail and cover size that matters, in one place
The correct thumbnail dimensions, aspect ratios, file limits, and safe zones for YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Pick a platform, copy the exact size, and design it right the first time.
Want the right size from the start? Make a YouTube thumbnail already sized to 1280×720.
Choose a platform
YouTube
The classic 16:9 thumbnail, plus the vertical Shorts cover.
Standard thumbnail
Recommended1280×720px
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
- Max file size
- 2 MB
- Formats
- JPG, PNG, GIF, WEBP
Safe zone: Minimum 640px wide. Keep faces and text out of the bottom-right corner, where the duration stamp appears.
Shorts cover
1080×1920px
- Aspect ratio
- 9:16
- Max file size
- Video frame
- Formats
- JPG, PNG
Safe zone: Chosen from a video frame. Keep the hook in the top two-thirds; the title and controls cover the bottom.
Channel banner
2048×1152px
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
- Max file size
- 6 MB
- Formats
- JPG, PNG
Safe zone: The 1235×338 safe area stays visible on every device, including TV.
All thumbnail sizes at a glance
A quick comparison across every platform we cover, sorted by platform.
| Platform | Format | Dimensions | Ratio | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Standard thumbnail★ | 1280×720 | 16:9 | 2 MB |
| · | Shorts cover | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | Video frame |
| · | Channel banner | 2048×1152 | 16:9 | 6 MB |
| Shared link thumbnail★ | 1200×627 | 1.91:1 | 5 MB | |
| · | Video thumbnail | 1280×720 | 16:9 | 5 MB |
| · | Article cover | 1200×644 | 1.91:1 | 5 MB |
| Reels cover★ | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 30 MB | |
| · | Portrait photo (feed) | 1080×1350 | 4:5 | 30 MB |
| · | Square post | 1080×1080 | 1:1 | 30 MB |
| · | Profile grid thumbnail | 1080×1080 | 1:1 | Cropped |
| TikTok | Video cover★ | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | Video frame |
| · | Profile grid thumbnail | 1080×1434 | ≈3:4 | Cropped |
Skip the ruler. Let the AI size it for you.
Thumbnail Gods generates three editable concepts at the exact native size for YouTube, Shorts, Reels, and TikTok, with the safe zones already respected.
Thumbnail size FAQ
What is the correct YouTube thumbnail size?
1280×720 pixels in a 16:9 ratio, at least 640 pixels wide, and under 2 MB. Accepted formats are JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP. Keep faces and text out of the bottom-right corner, where the duration stamp sits.
What is the correct LinkedIn thumbnail size?
For a shared link the preview thumbnail is 1200×627 pixels (1.91:1). For native video, upload a custom cover at 1280×720 (16:9). Below 1.91:1, LinkedIn crops the link image down to a small square, so design for the wide ratio.
What is the correct Instagram thumbnail size?
A Reels cover is 1080×1920 pixels (9:16), but the profile grid crops it to a 1:1 square, so keep the subject centered. Feed photos are best at 1080×1350 (4:5) portrait or 1080×1080 (1:1) square.
What is the correct TikTok thumbnail size?
A TikTok video cover is 1080×1920 pixels (9:16), matching the full-screen video. The profile grid crops the cover to a taller portrait, so keep your hook near the top-center and clear of the right-side buttons and bottom caption.
Why do my thumbnails look cropped or blurry?
Cropping happens when your ratio does not match where the image is shown (a 16:9 image forced into a 1:1 grid, for example). Blur comes from uploading below the recommended pixel size, which forces the platform to upscale. Always start from the largest recommended dimensions.
Does aspect ratio or pixel size matter more?
Aspect ratio decides whether the image gets cropped; pixel size decides how sharp it looks. Match the ratio to the placement first, then export at or above the recommended pixels to stay crisp on high-density screens.
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