Add video thumbnails on YouTube

Video thumbnails let viewers encounter 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 ain if your account is verified.

Add together or alter a video thumbnail

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

Note: Information technology may have fourth dimension for your thumbnail changes to appear 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 carte du jour, select Content.
  3. Select a video by clicking its thumbnail.
  4. Under "Thumbnail", select Upload thumbnail.
  5. Cull the file y'all'd like to use every bit your custom thumbnail.
  6. Select Salve.

In one case you've added a custom thumbnail, betoken to it and click More  to download or edit the thumbnail.

Lookout man how to add a custom video thumbnail

Lookout the following video from the YouTube Creators channel 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

Paradigm size & resolution

Your custom thumbnail image should be as large as possible. It will be used every bit the preview image in the embedded thespian. We recommend your custom thumbnails:

  • Accept a resolution of 1280x720 (with minimum width of 640 pixels).
  • Exist uploaded in image formats such every bit JPG, GIF, or PNG.
  • Remain nether the 2MB limit.
  • Try to utilise a xvi:9 aspect ratio as information technology's the most 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 it contains:

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

If a strike is issued, you'll become an email and come across an alert in your Channel Settings the next time you sign in to YouTube. You can appeal the strike if yous think your thumbnails don't violate the YouTube Community Guidelines. If your entreatment is approved and you haven't already replaced the thumbnail, we may restore information technology.

Custom thumbnail limits

At that place'due south a limit to how many custom thumbnails a channel tin upload each day. If y'all become an error saying "Daily custom thumbnail limit reached" when trying to upload a thumbnail, try again in 24 hours.

Limits may vary by country/region or channel history. Copyright strikes may bear on channel history eligibility. Customs Guidelines strikes will affect how many custom thumbnails you tin 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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