YouTubeOrganicImageActive
YouTube thumbnail
Last verified 15 Oct 2026
Check a file against this →Key facts
- Recommended size
- 3840 × 2160
BOfficial recommendation. Evidence details
- Source
- Add custom thumbnails on YouTube
- How verified
- Read directly
- Verified
- 15 Oct 2026
3840x2160 for videos (2160x3840 for Shorts); 16:9 recommended for videos.
Open source ↗- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
BOfficial recommendation. Evidence details
- Source
- Add custom thumbnails on YouTube
- How verified
- Read directly
- Verified
- 15 Oct 2026
3840x2160 for videos (2160x3840 for Shorts); 16:9 recommended for videos.
Open source ↗- Max file size
- ≤ 2 MB
AOfficial requirement. Evidence details
- Source
- Add custom thumbnails on YouTube
- How verified
- Read directly
- Verified
- 15 Oct 2026
Mobile upload limit (Warning).
Open source ↗- Max file size
- ≤ 50 MB
AOfficial requirement. Evidence details
- Source
- Add custom thumbnails on YouTube
- How verified
- Read directly
- Verified
- 15 Oct 2026
Desktop upload limit (Fail).
Open source ↗
All requirements
| Property | Rule | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| File size | ≤ 2 MB | AOfficial requirement. Evidence details
Mobile upload limit (Warning). Open source ↗ |
| File size | ≤ 50 MB | AOfficial requirement. Evidence details
Desktop upload limit (Fail). Open source ↗ |
| Property | Rule | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Image width | ≥ 640 px | AOfficial requirement. Evidence details
Minimum width of 640 px for videos (minimum height 640 px for Shorts). Open source ↗ |
| Image format | jpeg, png | AOfficial requirement. Evidence details
Image formats such as JPG or PNG. Open source ↗ |
Loudness
No official loudness target. About loudness standards
Notes and caveats
- GIF is no longer listed (it was in older versions of the page).
- Desktop allows 50 MB.
Sources
- Add custom thumbnails on YouTube · GoogleRead directly · 15 Oct 2026
Version history
- 15 Oct 2026 · 0.2.0Verified: official pages read directly. Each item's verification field says which.
- 15 Oct 2026 · 0.1.0Initial research entry (not authoritative).