The right size for a YouTube thumbnail
YouTube recommends 1280x720 pixels (16:9 ratio) at a maximum file size of 2MB. Camisual has this as a built-in preset so you never need to do the maths.
Step-by-step: Create a YouTube thumbnail
- 1
Start with the YouTube preset
Sign in at camisual.com, click "New Design" from your dashboard. In the workspace setup, look for the "Social Media" preset category and select "YouTube Thumbnail" (1280x720). Your canvas will be set to exactly the right dimensions.
- 2
Set a background colour or gradient
Switch to Shape mode using the mode switcher at the top (the "Shape" button). Draw a rectangle that covers the entire canvas. In the left Shape section, set a solid fill colour or choose a gradient fill. Bright colours like red, yellow, and orange perform well for thumbnails. This becomes your background layer.
- 3
Add your photo
Click "Add" in the top menu bar, then "Upload Image". Upload a photo of yourself or the subject of the video. Position it on the right or left of the canvas by dragging it with the Select tool.
- 4
Remove the photo background
With the photo selected, click "Edit Image" in the left Images section. In the Image Editor, click the "BG" tab and then "Remove Background". Once the AI removes the background, click "Apply". Now your subject floats cleanly over the coloured background.
- 5
Add your title text
Click "Add" in the top menu, then "Add Text". A text object appears on the canvas. Double-click it to type your thumbnail headline. Keep it short: 3 to 5 words maximum. In the left Text section, increase the font size to at least 80pt, set a bold font weight, and pick a colour that contrasts with your background.
- 6
Add a second smaller text line (optional)
Add a second text object for a subtitle or your channel name. Keep this smaller, around 30 to 40pt. Position it below the main headline.
- 7
Polish and export
Use the Select tool to fine-tune the position of each element. When you are happy, click "File" in the top menu, choose "Export", select JPG or PNG, and download. Your thumbnail is ready to upload to YouTube Studio.
Thumbnail design tips
Use no more than 3 colours. Make sure text is readable when the thumbnail is shrunk to 120x68 pixels (the size shown in the sidebar). Faces and close-up expressions drive more clicks than abstract images. High contrast between text and background is critical.
In Camisual you can duplicate an existing design. Once you have a thumbnail template you like, duplicate it from the dashboard and just swap the text and photo for each new video.