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    Reference
    4 min read
    Updated March 2026

    YouTube Thumbnail Size 2026 | Video, Shorts & Channel Banner

    The correct YouTube thumbnail size for 2026: 1280×720 pixels (16:9). Plus Shorts dimensions, channel banner safe zones, and file format guidance with one-click copy.

    Video Thumbnail

    Recommended
    1,280 × 72016:9 · YouTube

    The image viewers click. Use bold text, high contrast, and large faces — it's previewed at ~246×138 in browse feeds.

    Shorts Video

    Recommended
    1,080 × 1,9209:16 · YouTube

    Vertical short-form video. Thumbnails are auto-generated — design the first frame for clickability.

    Channel Banner

    2,560 × 1,44016:9 · YouTube

    Channel art. Keep logos and text inside the central 1546×423 safe zone — that's what's visible on every device, from mobile to TV.

    Profile Picture

    800 × 8001:1 · YouTube

    Displayed as a circle. Upload at 800×800 even though it renders at 98×98 — YouTube uses the larger version on channel pages.

    End Screen Element

    1,280 × 72016:9 · YouTube

    Match the main video resolution. End screens appear during the last 5–20 seconds of a video.

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