What is the YouTube banner size?
Upload 2560 x 1440 pixels. YouTube requires at least 2048 x 1152 and a file under 6 MB. Only the centered 1235 x 338 safe area shows on every device, so keep text and logos inside it.
YouTube Sizes (2026)
The YouTube banner size is 2560 x 1440 pixels with a 1235 x 338 safe area for text, thumbnails are 1280 x 720, and the profile photo is 800 x 800.
The YouTube banner is the most misunderstood image in social media because one upload serves three screens. A TV shows the full 2560 x 1440 canvas, desktop shows a wide strip, and phones show an even smaller strip. Only the centered safe area, 1235 x 338 pixels, is visible everywhere, so that is the only place text and logos belong.
Sizes checked against platform documentation | July 2026
YouTube Thumbnail and Profile Sizes
| Format | Size (px) | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video thumbnail | 1280 x 720 | 16:9 | Minimum width 640 pixels, max 2 MB. JPG, PNG, or GIF. |
| Profile photo | 800 x 800 | 1:1 | Renders as a 98 x 98 circle in most placements. |
YouTube Shorts Size
| Format | Size (px) | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Same vertical canvas as TikTok and Reels. Up to 3 minutes. |
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Related YouTube resources
All social media image sizes
The hub with every platform's dimensions in one quick-reference table.
Social image resizer
Crop one image to these exact sizes in your browser, with a separate crop per format.
YouTube title checker
See where the title gets cut off next to that 1280 x 720 thumbnail.
YouTube scheduler
Schedule videos and Shorts with the metadata handled up front.
How to make YouTube thumbnails
Thumbnails that get clicks, built on the 1280 x 720 spec above.
YouTube image size FAQ
Why does my YouTube banner look different on TV and phone?
One upload serves every screen. TVs show the full 2560 x 1440 image, desktop shows a wide horizontal strip, and phones show the smallest strip of all. Anything outside the centered 1235 x 338 safe area disappears on at least one device.
What size is a YouTube thumbnail?
1280 x 720 pixels at 16:9, with a minimum width of 640 pixels and a 2 MB file limit. JPG, PNG, and GIF all work.