Question 1

What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?

Accepted Answer

YouTube recommends thumbnails at 1280x720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) with a minimum width of 640 pixels. The file size should be under 2MB. This tool exports at exactly 1280x720.

Question 2

What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?

Accepted Answer

Effective thumbnails use: bold, readable text (3-5 words max), high contrast colors, expressive faces or emotions, minimal clutter, and a clear focal point. The text should be readable even at small sizes on mobile devices.

Question 3

Should I add text to my YouTube thumbnail?

Accepted Answer

Yes - thumbnails with text typically get 30% higher click-through rates. Keep text short (3-5 words), use bold fonts with outlines/strokes for readability, and make sure the text adds context beyond the title.

Question 4

What font should I use for YouTube thumbnails?

Accepted Answer

Bold, sans-serif fonts work best for thumbnails because they are readable at small sizes. Popular choices include Impact, Montserrat Bold, and Oswald. Always add a text stroke/outline to ensure readability against any background.

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