Exact pixel dimensions for YouTube thumbnails, channel banners, profile pictures, Shorts, and all creative assets.
Uploading images at the correct dimensions prevents compression artifacts and ensures sharp display across all devices — mobile, desktop, and TV.
| Asset | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video Thumbnail Most Important | 1280 × 720 px (min) | 16:9 | 2 MB | |
| Channel Art (Banner) | 2560 × 1440 px | 16:9 | 6 MB | |
| Profile Picture | 800 × 800 px | 1:1 | 4 MB | |
| Shorts Thumbnail | 1080 × 1920 px | 9:16 | 2 MB | |
| Community Post Image | 1080 × 1080 px | 1:1 | — | |
| End Screen (safe area) | Variable (overlay) | 16:9 | — | |
| Banner Safe Zone (all devices) | 1546 × 423 px (center) | ~3.65:1 | — |
YouTube channel art displays at different sizes depending on the viewer's device. Upload at 2560×1440 px, but keep all important content within the safe zone.
| Device | Visible Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TV | 2560 × 1440 px | Full banner visible |
| Desktop | 2560 × 423 px | Full width, cropped height |
| Tablet | 1855 × 423 px | Slightly cropped width |
| Mobile | 1546 × 423 px | Smallest — design for this |
YouTube thumbnails are the single most impactful factor in click-through rate. Design at 1280×720 px (16:9). Use high contrast, readable text (if any), and faces with clear expressions. YouTube's own data shows thumbnails with expressive faces and bright colors consistently outperform generic screenshots. Keep text to 6 words or fewer — thumbnails often display at 168×94 px in search results.
Your channel banner appears at the top of your YouTube channel page. The 2560×1440 px full canvas is only visible on TVs. On desktop, only the central horizontal strip (2560×423 px) shows. On mobile, only 1546×423 px is visible. Design with this mobile-first constraint in mind — don't put key information in the far edges.
Your YouTube profile picture also appears across Google products — Google Search, Gmail, Google Meet — when you're logged in. Upload at 800×800 px minimum. It displays as a circle. Avoid small text, complex backgrounds, or full-width imagery. A simple logo or face shot works best at small display sizes.
Thumbnails: Use JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with text. Keep file size under 2 MB. Channel art: PNG preferred for lossless quality up to 6 MB. Profile picture: PNG or JPG under 4 MB. YouTube recommends sRGB color profile for consistent color rendering across devices.
Enter your image dimensions to see which YouTube format it's compatible with.