YouTube recommends Shorts thumbnails of 2160×3840 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio, with a minimum height of 640 pixels, as JPG or PNG. Custom thumbnails for Shorts can currently only be added in YouTube Studio on a computer; in the app you pick a frame from the video instead.
| Recommended size | 2160 × 3840 px |
|---|---|
| Minimum height | 640 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Formats | JPG, PNG |
| Max file size (desktop) | 50 MB |
| Where to add it | YouTube Studio on a computer |
Source: YouTube Help · 2026-10-04
Make a Shorts cover from any image
Open the resizer, choose the “Shorts cover” preset (1080×1920, 9:16) and pick crop or fit. Fit keeps a horizontal image whole on a blurred vertical background.
Where Shorts thumbnails appear
Shorts show as tall cards in the Shorts shelf and on your channel’s Shorts tab. In search results and some feeds the same image may be shown cropped, so keep faces and words in the middle third.
Save existing Shorts covers
Paste a Shorts link into the thumbnail downloader to save its frames and, when available, its 1080×1920 vertical covers.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?
2160×3840 pixels is recommended, at 9:16, with a minimum height of 640 pixels. 1080×1920 also works and keeps the file small.
Can I change a Shorts thumbnail on my phone?
In the app you can choose a frame from the video. Uploading a custom image for a Short is currently only possible in YouTube Studio on a computer.
Can I download the thumbnail of a Short?
Yes. Paste the Shorts link into the thumbnail downloader to get every size, the video frames and the vertical covers when YouTube has them.