Format
Dimensions
YouTube image and video sizes overview
YouTube supports multiple video orientations and image formats depending on placement and device. While several resolutions are accepted, using YouTube’s recommended sizes helps preserve quality after compression and ensures your content displays correctly on desktop, mobile, TV, and tablet screens.
The most commonly used YouTube sizes include standard horizontal videos, vertical Shorts, video thumbnails, channel banners, and profile images.
Standard video
Recommended vs supported sizes
Standard YouTube videos are best uploaded at 1920 × 1080 pixels, which follows a 16:9 aspect ratio and is optimized for playback across all devices. This resolution is commonly referred to as Full HD and is widely supported by YouTube’s player.
Best practices for video layout
Keep important visuals and text within the central frame, as videos may be viewed on different screen sizes. Avoid placing critical details too close to the edges to prevent cutoff on smaller displays.
Quality and export considerations
Export videos at the highest available quality using a consistent frame rate. Avoid upscaling lower-resolution footage, as this can introduce blur after compression.
Shorts video
Recommended vs supported sizes
YouTube Shorts are designed for vertical viewing and perform best at 1080 × 1920 pixels, using a 9:16 aspect ratio. This format fills the entire mobile screen and is required for Shorts discovery.
Best practices for vertical content
Keep text and key visuals centered and avoid placing elements too close to the top or bottom edges, where interface controls may overlap. Clear framing helps ensure content remains visible during autoplay.
Quality and export considerations
Shorts are heavily compressed due to rapid playback. High contrast visuals and larger text improve clarity after upload.
Square video
Recommended vs supported sizes
Square videos on YouTube use 1080 × 1080 pixels with a 1:1 aspect ratio. While not the default format, square videos are supported and commonly used for repurposed content.
Best practices for consistency
Center subjects and maintain balanced spacing, as square videos may appear with letterboxing depending on device orientation.
Quality and export considerations
Design with simplicity in mind, as square videos may be displayed alongside horizontal content.
Thumbnail
Recommended vs supported sizes
YouTube thumbnails should be created at 1280 × 720 pixels, following a 16:9 aspect ratio. This size ensures thumbnails appear sharp across all devices, including large screens.
Best practices for click clarity
Use bold visuals, limited text, and strong contrast so thumbnails remain readable at small sizes. Faces and clear focal points tend to stand out more in crowded feeds.
Quality and export considerations
Upload thumbnails as high-quality JPG or PNG files. Designing with YouTube thumbnail templates helps ensure correct sizing and safe margins.
Profile Picture
Recommended vs supported sizes
YouTube profile pictures should be uploaded at 800 × 800 pixels using a 1:1 aspect ratio. These images are displayed as circles across the platform.
Best practices for profile visibility
Keep logos or faces centered, as the circular crop will cut off corners. Avoid placing text near the edges.
Quality and export considerations
Simple designs with clear contrast remain recognizable at small sizes.
Channel Banner
Recommended vs supported sizes
YouTube channel banners are uploaded at 2560 × 1440 pixels, but only a central 1546 × 423 pixel safe area is consistently visible across all devices.
Safe zones and layout protection
Text, logos, and key visuals should remain within the safe area to avoid being cropped on mobile, tablet, or desktop. TVs display the full banner, while smaller devices show a cropped version.
Quality and export considerations
Design banners with wide margins and minimal text. Using YouTube banner templates helps keep important elements within safe zones.
Pro Tips for YouTube Sizes
- Export videos at recommended resolutions to reduce compression artifacts
- Keep text and important visuals within safe areas
- Use the correct aspect ratio for each format
- Avoid scaling up low-resolution assets
- Export images and videos at the highest available quality
How to resize images and videos for YouTube using Picsart
Picsart helps you prepare YouTube visuals using exact dimensions and supported aspect ratios. This reduces cropping issues and preserves quality across devices.
For thumbnails and banners, start with preset layouts like YouTube thumbnail templates and YouTube banner templates to design at the correct size from the beginning.
If you already have an image, use the Photo Editor to adjust canvas size, reposition elements, and maintain proportions without distortion. For quick resizing, the Image Resizer helps convert assets to YouTube-ready dimensions.
Always export at recommended pixel sizes and highest quality to minimize compression effects.
FAQ
What are the standard YouTube video sizes?
What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?
YouTube thumbnails should be 1280 × 720 pixels using a 16:9 aspect ratio. Designing thumbnails at this size helps ensure they appear sharp and readable across all screen sizes.
Why does YouTube crop thumbnails or banners?
YouTube crops images when they don’t match recommended aspect ratios or when key elements fall outside safe areas. Keeping text and important visuals centered helps prevent cropping on different devices.
What happens if I upload the wrong YouTube video size?
YouTube automatically resizes and compresses videos that don’t follow supported dimensions, which can reduce clarity. Preparing videos at recommended sizes before upload helps maintain quality and framing.
How do I resize a video for YouTube?
Resize videos to supported dimensions such as 1920 × 1080 pixels for standard videos or 1080 × 1920 pixels for Shorts before uploading. Designing at the correct size avoids distortion and unnecessary compression.
How do I resize images for YouTube thumbnails?
Resize images to 1280 × 720 pixels before uploading. This ensures thumbnails display correctly without stretching or loss of sharpness.
What aspect ratio does YouTube use?
YouTube primarily uses a 16:9 aspect ratio for standard videos, but also supports 9:16 for Shorts and 1:1 for square videos. Using the correct aspect ratio helps content display as intended.
Can YouTube videos be vertical or square?
YouTube supports both vertical and square videos. Vertical videos are used for YouTube Shorts, while square videos are supported in the feed for standard playback.
What resolution is best for YouTube videos?
A resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels or higher is recommended. Higher-resolution uploads give YouTube more data during compression, which can result in better playback quality.
How do I export YouTube videos without quality loss?
Export videos at their original resolution and highest available bitrate. Avoid re-encoding files multiple times, as repeated compression can degrade quality.