Resize Image for YouTube
The right size for every YouTube format — one click per preset.
Drop an image here
or choose files from your device
You can also paste an image with Ctrl+V
JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, HEIC, GIF · up to 100 MB
Your images are processed locally in your browser and are not uploaded.
YouTube crops or compresses images that don’t match its recommended sizes. Pick a preset below and PhotoTools resizes and crops your image to the exact dimensions, so it looks sharp and complete. YouTube thumbnails must be 1280 × 720 (16:9) and under 2 MB.
- Use 1280 × 720 for thumbnails, 2560 × 1440 for the channel banner and 800 × 800 for the profile picture.
- Upload JPG or PNG. Keep text large — thumbnails are often shown very small.
Recommended sizes
| Use | Size (px) | Ratio | Max file size |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube · Thumbnail | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 | 2 MB |
| YouTube · Channel banner | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 | 6 MB |
| YouTube · Profile picture | 800 × 800 | 1:1 | — |
Sizes checked 2026-09.
How to resize an image for YouTube
- Step 1
Add your image.
- Step 2
Choose the YouTube preset you need — post, story, profile picture or cover.
- Step 3
Adjust the crop position if needed and download.
Why use PhotoTools
Official YouTube sizes
Presets follow the platform’s current recommendations.
Sharp uploads
Images at the exact size avoid extra blur from the platform’s own resizing.
Private
Resizing happens in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Supported formats
Input
- JPG
- PNG
- WebP
- AVIF
- HEIC
Output
- JPG
- PNG
- WebP
- AVIF
Frequently asked questions
What is the best image size for YouTube?
Use 1280 × 720 for thumbnails, 2560 × 1440 for the channel banner and 800 × 800 for the profile picture.
Will my image be cropped?
Presets use “cover”, which fills the frame and crops what doesn’t fit. Choose “contain” to keep the whole image with a background.
Which format should I upload?
Upload JPG or PNG. Keep text large — thumbnails are often shown very small.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. This tool runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your images never leave your device, and nothing is stored.