Define Your Goal
Your thumbnail should answer one question: "Why should the viewer click?"
- Spark curiosity (intriguing element)
- Show value (what viewer will get)
- Create emotional response (shock, laugh, surprise)
Choose Bold Colors
Contrasting colors make thumbnails stand out. Top combinations:
Add Text Correctly
✅ Do:
- • 3-5 words maximum
- • Large readable font
- • Contrast with background
- • Emotional power words
❌ Don't:
- • Too much small text
- • Duplicate video title
- • Complex fonts
- • Text blends with background
Use Emotions
Faces with strong emotions increase CTR by 30-50%. Best emotions for thumbnails:
Create Thumbnails in 2 Minutes with AI
YouTubeGen creates professional thumbnails from your description. No design skills needed!
Try FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?▼
The optimal size is 1280×720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio). Minimum width is 640 pixels. File size should not exceed 2 MB.
What format should I save thumbnails in?▼
YouTube supports JPG, GIF, PNG. We recommend JPG for photos and PNG for graphics with text — they preserve quality better.
How much does thumbnail creation cost?▼
YouTubeGen offers 3 free thumbnails on signup. Paid plans start from $9/month for 45 generations.
Can I use other people's faces in thumbnails?▼
Using others' faces without permission is prohibited. YouTubeGen has a character swap feature — upload your photo and AI will place you in any thumbnail style.