ImgWrench is a free YouTube thumbnail resizer: drop in an image and get a 3840×2160 thumbnail, the size YouTube recommends, plus a 1280×720 copy that fits the 2MB limit for uploads from a phone. Need one for a Short? Add a 2160×3840 Shorts thumbnail from the same image.
How to resize a YouTube thumbnail
- Drop your image into the tool above.
- Keep Thumbnail, Mobile thumbnail or both selected, and add Shorts thumbnail if you need one.
- If your image isn't 16:9, choose Cover to fill the frame or Crop to pick the area yourself.
- Download single files or everything as a ZIP.
Uploading to YouTube
Sign in to YouTube Studio and choose Content from the left menu. Open the video you want to edit, then below Thumbnail click Upload file and choose your image. Click Save. For Shorts, pick the Shorts tab at the top of Content first. It can take a while for a new thumbnail to show on YouTube.
Design tips
- Design for small. Thumbnails are often shown at a fraction of their size, so use large text and a clear subject.
- Keep it 16:9. YouTube suggests this ratio for videos; other shapes get letterboxed or cropped.
- Stay within the guidelines. YouTube can reject thumbnails that break its Community Guidelines.
Why ImgWrench
- Desktop and mobile in one go. The full-size thumbnail and a copy under 2MB.
- Shorts too. A 9:16 thumbnail from the same upload, each with its own crop.
- Private by design. Your images never leave your device.