YouTube Thumbnail Maker

Pick a template, add your photo, edit the text and download. Everything runs in your browser, with no signup and no watermark.

Templates are fully editable. Your uploaded photos move into the new template when you switch.

Click to select. Drag to move. Drag a corner to resize and the round handle to rotate. Double-click text to type. Arrow keys nudge, Delete removes.

Check it at real size

Dark mode

12:34

Your video title goes hereYour Channel · 1.2M views · 2 days ago

12:34

Your video title goes hereYour Channel

If you cannot read the text in the small card, make it bigger, shorter or higher contrast. This preview is only a mock-up and not an official YouTube layout. The card download is meant for previews, portfolios and memes. Please do not use it to imitate a real channel or mislead people.

How to Make a YouTube Thumbnail

Pick one of the 30 templates in the Templates tab, or press Blank and build your own.

Click a photo frame (or drop an image on it) to add your picture. For a person or product, upload a transparent cut-out and turn on the sticker outline.

Click the text to edit it. Change the font, size, colors, outline and shadow in the panel on the right.

Open the Titles tab for headline ideas, and add arrows, shapes and emojis from Elements.

Check the small preview, then download as JPG, PNG or WebP at 1280×720, 1920×1080 or 3840×2160.

What You Can Do in This Editor

30 editable YouTube templates for gaming, reactions, tutorials, comparisons, tier lists, challenges, giveaways, live streams, vlogs, food, tech reviews, podcasts, fitness, business, news and more, plus vertical 9:16 and square canvases with their own templates.

Layers you can move, resize and rotate, with undo and redo, duplicate, lock, hide and reorder.

Text effects: 11 bold fonts, outline, gradient fill, shadow or glow, label boxes and letter spacing.

Photo tools: circle or rounded frames, zoom and pan, brightness, contrast, saturation, blur, borders, shadows and a sticker outline for cut-outs.

Shapes and emojis: arrows, circles, stars, bursts, speech bubbles and more.

Small-size preview in a YouTube-style card, plus optional margin and length-badge guides.

Export as JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 4K, with an optional maximum file size. Save your project and open it later.

Your images are never uploaded. The editor runs in your browser, and project files are saved on your own device. The Background Remover is a separate tool and uses a cloud service, as explained in our privacy policy.

Tips for Thumbnails People Click

Use 3 to 5 words. If you cannot read it in the small preview, it is too small or too long.

Make the main subject (a face, product or object) large and keep the background simple.

Use strong contrast between text and background, and add an outline or shadow.

Leave the lower-right corner free, because the video length badge sits there.

Keep the thumbnail honest. It should match what the video delivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?

YouTube's help page recommends a 16:9 image, ideally 3840 x 2160 pixels, with a minimum width of 640 pixels. Many creators export at 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080. This editor can export all three sizes. Check the current rules on YouTube Help before you upload.

Is the thumbnail maker free? Is there a watermark?

It is free, needs no signup and adds no watermark to your thumbnail.

Are my photos uploaded to a server?

No. The editor draws everything in your browser. Your photos stay on your device, and saved projects are downloaded to your own computer.

How do I put a cut-out of myself or a product on the thumbnail?

Remove the background with our Background Remover, download the transparent PNG, then upload it to a photo frame here. Set the frame to Fit inside and turn on the sticker outline to get the white outline that is common on thumbnails. The Background Remover is a separate tool and uses a cloud service.

Can I save my work and finish later?

Yes. Press Save project to download a file that includes your layout and photos, and Open project to continue later. Closing the tab without saving loses your work.

What is the file size limit for thumbnails?

Limits depend on where you upload. For example, YouTube's help page lists 2 MB for mobile uploads and a higher limit on desktop. Use the Keep it under 2 MB button to be safe, and check YouTube Help for the current numbers.

Does this use AI?

No. The templates, effects and title ideas are built into the editor. Title ideas come from common title patterns with your topic filled in. The only cloud AI feature on this site is the separate Background Remover.

Which fonts can I use?

Anton, Bebas Neue, Bangers, Luckiest Guy, Permanent Marker, Archivo Black, Oswald, Montserrat, Poppins, Rubik and Inter, all loaded from Google Fonts.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes, but editing is easier on a larger screen. On a phone you can still choose a template, add a photo, edit the text and download.