YouTube Channel Art/Banner, Thumbnail And Logo Image Sizes
When creating YouTube channel art, thumbnails, and logos, it’s essential to follow the correct image dimensions to ensure your visuals display properly across devices. Below are the recommended sizes for each:
1. YouTube Channel Art / Banner
Your YouTube channel art (banner) is the large image that appears at the top of your channel page. It’s essential that the dimensions and file size are optimized for different devices (TV, desktop, tablet, mobile).
- Recommended Size: 2560 x 1440 pixels
- Minimum Dimensions: 2048 x 1152 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Safe Area (Text & Logo): 1546 x 423 pixels
- This area ensures that your text, logos, and other critical elements won’t be cut off on different screen sizes (especially on mobile devices and smart TVs).
- Maximum File Size: 6MB
- Format: JPEG, PNG, or GIF
Tip: Keep important text and logos within the safe area (1546 x 423 px) to ensure they are displayed correctly on all screen sizes.
2. YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube thumbnails are the small preview images that appear alongside your videos on the platform. Thumbnails are critical for encouraging viewers to click on your videos.
- Recommended Size: 1280 x 720 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Minimum Width: 640 pixels (wider thumbnails are preferable for better clarity)
- Maximum File Size: 2MB
- Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP
Tip: Thumbnails should be visually compelling and easy to read, even in smaller sizes. It’s a good idea to use bold, readable fonts and high-contrast colors.
3. YouTube Logo
The YouTube logo is your channel’s profile picture, which appears in search results, comments, and on your channel page. It should be easily recognizable at small sizes.
- Recommended Size: 800 x 800 pixels
- Minimum Size: 98 x 98 pixels (though larger is better for clarity)
- Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (Square)
- File Size: Up to 4MB
- Format: PNG or JPG (PNG is preferred for transparency)
Tip: Your logo should be simple, with clear elements that remain visible even in smaller versions (e.g., when it appears as a profile icon on mobile).
Summary of YouTube Image Sizes:
| Image Type | Recommended Size | Aspect Ratio | File Size Limit | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Art | 2560 x 1440 px | 16:9 | 6MB | JPEG, PNG, GIF |
| Thumbnail | 1280 x 720 px | 16:9 | 2MB | JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP |
| Logo | 800 x 800 px | 1:1 | 4MB | PNG, JPG |
Final Tips:
- Consistency: Keep a consistent style across your channel art, thumbnails, and logo to create a strong brand identity.
- Mobile Optimization: Since many users access YouTube via mobile, always check that your images look good on smaller screens.
- Text Readability: Ensure any text you use is large enough to be legible on all devices, especially thumbnails and banners.
By following these guidelines, your YouTube channel will have well-optimized images that look professional across all platforms and devices.