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YouTube

YouTube thumbnail and channel banner maker

Prepare thumbnails, channel branding, Shorts covers, and podcast artwork with the right framing for each surface.

Sources reviewed 2026-10-20

1. Add your artwork

Start with a photo or design. Adjust each result below.

JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF or still GIF · 40 MB per file · processing on your device.

2. Add your identity

Use a separate avatar / icon, and an optional logo to overlay on artwork.

Logo backgrounds are removed automatically. Review the preview before applying. Complex backgrounds may need a model download.

3. Prepare multiple images

Use the main artwork for one image, or add a batch here to prepare posts, thumbnails and covers together.

Content images · 0 added
Up to 50 images · one output per photo
Platform requirements & account conditions
  • Custom video and Shorts thumbnails require a verified YouTube account. Shorts thumbnail files are uploaded in YouTube Studio on a computer.
  • YouTube now recommends 3840 × 2160 for video thumbnails and 2160 × 3840 for Shorts. The mobile upload limits differ from desktop.
  • Channel banners crop differently on mobile, desktop, and TV. Keep names and logos inside the marked central area.
  • These are image assets. Batch does not create or upload videos, Shorts, or podcast episodes.

Thumbnails

Video thumbnail

3840 × 2160 · JPG · Recommended

Add Content images

A landscape preview for a regular YouTube video.

Specs & placement notes

YouTube recommends 3840 × 2160, 16:9, and JPG or PNG; minimum width 640 px. Mobile video thumbnails must be under 2 MB, desktop thumbnails under 50 MB.

Exported below the 2 MB mobile upload limit. Desktop permits up to 50 MB. A verified account is required.

Maximum output: 1.9 MB. Checked after encoding.

Official documentation ↗

Shorts thumbnail

2160 × 3840 · JPG · Conditional

Add Content images

A vertical cover for a YouTube Short.

For Shorts; a verified account and desktop YouTube Studio are required.

Specs & placement notes

YouTube recommends 2160 × 3840, 9:16, and a minimum height of 640 px. Custom Shorts thumbnails can be uploaded in desktop Studio with a verified account, under 50 MB.

Upload this cover in YouTube Studio on a computer. This does not create a Short video.

Maximum output: 48 MB. Checked after encoding.

Official documentation ↗

Channel branding

Channel banner

2560 × 1440 · JPG · Recommended

Add artwork or replace this image

Channel artwork that adapts to mobile, desktop, and TV.

Specs & placement notes

Recommended 2560 × 1440; minimum 2048 × 1152 at 16:9; maximum 6 MB. At the minimum size, the text/logo safe area is 1235 × 338.

The central guide is scaled from YouTube’s safe area at its minimum upload dimensions. Avoid extra frames or borders.

Maximum output: 5.7 MB. Checked after encoding.

Official documentation ↗

Profile picture

800 × 800 · PNG · Recommended

Add artwork or replace this image

A square channel icon with a circular preview.

Specs & placement notes

YouTube accepts JPG, non-animated GIF, BMP, or PNG up to 15 MB and says the image renders at 98 × 98. It does not mandate an 800 × 800 upload.

This exact size is a Batch preset. The platform does not mandate these dimensions.

800 × 800 is a Batch export preset. Preview your mark at small sizes; YouTube renders it at 98 × 98.

Maximum output: 14 MB. Checked after encoding.

Official documentation ↗

Video watermark

150 × 150 · PNG · Optional

Add artwork or replace this image

A compact channel mark for YouTube’s video watermark setting.

Specs & placement notes

The watermark must be square, at least 150 × 150, and smaller than 1 MB. It is unavailable on made-for-kids videos.

Check legibility at this small size. Watermarks are not available on videos marked as made for kids.

Maximum output: 977 KB. Checked after encoding.

Official documentation ↗

Podcast

Podcast cover

1280 × 1280 · JPG · Conditional

Add artwork or replace this image

Square artwork for a podcast playlist.

Required when creating or maintaining a podcast playlist.

Specs & placement notes

YouTube requires a square podcast thumbnail for podcast details and recommends 1280 × 1280. Its linked thumbnail guide gives a 10 MB mobile and 50 MB desktop podcast limit.

A podcast playlist needs a square cover. This export stays below the 10 MB mobile podcast limit; desktop allows 50 MB.

Maximum output: 9.5 MB. Checked after encoding.

Official documentation ↗
Set checklist · 3 items to review
  • Video thumbnail: add a source image
  • Channel banner: add a source image
  • Profile picture: add a source image

You can prepare a partial set. The ZIP guide records every missing or excluded item.

0 files ready to prepare

Partial set: 3 checklist items need attention.

Each asset links to its official source. Batch presets and illustrative guides are labeled separately. Review visual content before publishing; exports do not guarantee platform approval. Batch is not affiliated with these platforms.

How to prepare YouTube images

  1. 1. Choose the right source

    Add your main artwork, then a separate profile image or icon. Add multiple content images when you need a batch of posts or thumbnails.

  2. 2. Review each crop

    Select the presets you need and open Adjust to position each image. Use crop to fill the frame or fit to retain the entire image. Check the safe-area guides where provided.

  3. 3. Prepare and download

    Prepare the selected files to check dimensions, formats and published file limits. Download a single image or a ZIP, then review the destination preview before publishing.

YouTube image sizes included in this tool

These are the tool’s export dimensions. “Batch preset” is a practical starting point, not a platform requirement. Account eligibility and content rules can also apply; follow each source for the current specification.

YouTube image export dimensions and source references
ImageWidth × height (px)Basis
Video thumbnail3840 × 2160Official guidance
Shorts thumbnail2160 × 3840Official guidance
Channel banner2560 × 1440Official guidance
Profile picture800 × 800Batch preset
Podcast cover1280 × 1280Official guidance
Video watermark150 × 150Official guidance

Before you export

  • Custom video and Shorts thumbnails require a verified YouTube account. Shorts thumbnail files are uploaded in YouTube Studio on a computer.
  • YouTube now recommends 3840 × 2160 for video thumbnails and 2160 × 3840 for Shorts. The mobile upload limits differ from desktop.
  • Channel banners crop differently on mobile, desktop, and TV. Keep names and logos inside the marked central area.
  • These are image assets. Batch does not create or upload videos, Shorts, or podcast episodes.

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