Design for small sizes
Check the sidebar preview; if it is unreadable there, simplify.
YouTube Thumbnail Previewer & Grabber
Check how your next video will look before you publish. Upload a thumbnail, type the title, and see it as viewers will in the home feed, search results and suggested videos. You can also pull up the thumbnail images for any existing video.
- 100% free
- No sign-up
- Runs in your browser
Click a size to open the full image, then right-click and save it. Only reuse thumbnails you own or have permission to use.
Upload your thumbnail1280 × 720 JPG or PNG recommended
Home feedSearch resultsSuggested videos (sidebar)
How to use
How to use the YouTube Thumbnail Previewer & Grabber
- To grab a thumbnail, paste a video link and open the size you need.
- To preview yours, switch tabs and upload your thumbnail.
- Type your title, channel name, views and duration.
- Compare the mockups in light and dark mode, and adjust until the title and image work together.
Private by design. Everything runs in your browser. Your text, images and plans are not uploaded or shared.
About this tool
What makes a thumbnail get clicked
Most viewers decide whether to click in a split second, and thumbnails are shown at very different sizes: large on the home feed, medium in search and tiny in the suggested videos sidebar. A design that looks great full screen can become unreadable at sidebar size, which is why previewing at real sizes matters.
Strong thumbnails usually have one clear subject, high contrast, very few words and a face or object that tells the story. The title should add to the image rather than repeat it, and the key words should sit in the first 60 to 70 characters so they are not cut off.
Good to know
Thumbnail tips
Mind the timestamp
The duration covers the bottom-right corner, so keep text away from it.
Use 1280 × 720
Upload at 16:9 and under 2 MB.
Respect copyright
Only reuse thumbnails or images you own or have permission to use.
FAQ
YouTube Thumbnail Previewer & Grabber FAQs
What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?
1280 × 720 pixels (16:9), under 2 MB, as JPG, PNG or GIF.
Can I download any video's thumbnail?
You can view the publicly available thumbnail images, but only reuse them if you have the rights.
Why is the maximum size missing for some videos?
Older or lower-resolution uploads may not have a 1280 × 720 version.
Is my thumbnail uploaded?
No. Your preview is built in your browser.
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