Present / Thumbnails
Thumbnail Maker: Video Thumbnails with Text and Cut-outs
Make a video thumbnail with a background photo or colour, an optional cut-out, an outlined headline and a label. Export a JPG at 1280 × 720 or another available preset, with a 2 MB target for mobile uploads.
Thumbnail Maker: Video Thumbnails with Text and Cut-outs: The headline is drawn in a heavy font with a thick outline, made as large as fits in up to four lines, with the last line in the accent colour. A shade behind the text keeps it readable on busy photos. The JPG quality is reduced when needed to aim for a 2 MB mobile upload target; a warning appears if the file still exceeds it. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
- Category
- Image tools
- Runs
- In your browser
- Cost
- Free · no sign-up
- Availability
- Ready to use
Runs entirely in your browser
Short, big words read best on a small screen; the headline shrinks to fit and its last line takes the accent colour. The dashed box marks the corner where video sites print the length, and is not saved. The JPG export aims for 2 MB for mobile uploads; YouTube allows under 50 MB on desktop and under 2 MB on mobile. To cut yourself out of a photo first, use the background remover. Nothing is uploaded.
Readability
Contrast matters more than colour: bright text with a dark outline reads on almost any background.
Checking
To see the thumbnail an existing video uses, try the YouTube thumbnail tool.
How to use it
- Add a background picture or pick a colour, and an optional cut-out.
- Type a short headline and choose the colours and position.
- Download the JPG and upload it with your video.
Privacy & limitations
Your pictures are used in your browser only.
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Frequently asked questions
Does this maker export the recommended 3840 × 2160 size?
This maker offers fixed presets, including 1280 × 720 and 1920 × 1080. Its default 1280 × 720 output is a 16:9 size above YouTube’s minimum width. It does not export 3840 × 2160.
What about Shorts and podcast thumbnails?
For Shorts, the recommendation is 2160 × 3840 pixels, a minimum height of 640 pixels and a 9:16 aspect ratio. Podcast thumbnails have a 10 MB size limit.
What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?
YouTube recommends 3840 × 2160 pixels for custom video thumbnails, with a minimum width of 640 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. It lists image formats such as JPG or PNG. Video thumbnails must be under 50 MB on desktop or under 2 MB on mobile.
How do I add myself without the background?
Remove the background from a photo of yourself first with the background remover, save it as PNG, and add it as the cut-out.
Why so few words?
Thumbnails are seen small on phones; three to five big words are easier to read than a sentence.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required