YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Resizer
YouTube Shorts can be square or vertical and upload at up to 1080p. For a full-screen vertical Short, use a 1080x1920 frame and select a frame from the video as its thumbnail; a separate image cannot be uploaded as a Shorts thumbnail.
YouTube Shorts thumbnail size
YouTube Shorts thumbnail size: 1080×1920 px planning canvas for a full-screen 9:16 Short.
Add the planned frame to the video itself, then select it in YouTube. You cannot upload a separate custom-thumbnail image for a Short.
1080
width (px)
1920
height (px)
9:16
aspect ratio
Need other dimensions? Browse all Youtube sizes or use the free image resizer for any platform.
Sources
We check platform-specific dimensions against source documentation when available.
- YouTube Help - Add custom thumbnails on YouTube - Official guidance states that Shorts use a selected video frame rather than a separately uploaded custom thumbnail.
Stand Out in the Shorts Shelf
A 1080x1920 source matches a full-screen 9:16 Short and YouTube's maximum 1080p upload resolution. Keep the selected frame simple enough to remain clear when YouTube shows it as a small preview.
Select a Frame from the Short
Choose a frame that accurately represents the Short. To use a designed 1080x1920 frame, place it inside the video before upload; YouTube will then let you select that frame rather than upload it as a separate thumbnail file.
Channel Profile Appearance
The selected frame can appear on your channel and in search-related placements. Keep the subject centered so the frame still works when YouTube crops or scales it for different surfaces.
How to resize image for YouTube Shorts Thumbnail?
- 1
Step 1: Design the frame
Prepare a clear 1080 x 1920 image for a full-screen vertical Short. Keep the focal point near the center.
- 2
Step 2: Add it to the video
Place the designed image as a frame inside the Short before uploading. YouTube does not accept it as a separate thumbnail upload.
- 3
Step 3: Select the frame in YouTube
During upload in the YouTube app, choose that frame as the Short thumbnail. Once selected, YouTube says it cannot be changed after upload.
For a full-screen vertical Short, plan the selected frame at 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), matching YouTube's maximum 1080p Shorts upload resolution.
All Youtube Image Sizes
Choose the recommended Youtube dimensions for your content
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