Where to find the thumbnail upload button

Open YouTube Studio on a computer (the mobile app does not let you change thumbnails). Sign in to your account, click Create in the top left, then select Upload videos. If you are editing a video you already uploaded, go to Content in the left menu, find the video, and click the pencil icon to open the details page.

Scroll down to the Thumbnail section. You will see three options: YouTube's auto-generated thumbnails (usually frames from your video), or an upload button to add your own image. Click Upload thumbnail to choose a file from your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • You must use YouTube Studio on a computer—the mobile app does not support thumbnail uploads.
  • Your image file must be a JPG, GIF, or PNG under 2 MB in size, with a 1280 × 720 pixel resolution for best results.
  • YouTube accounts must be verified (usually by phone) before you can upload custom thumbnails.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but YouTube's servers may take a few minutes to show the new thumbnail everywhere.

Image format and size requirements

YouTube accepts JPG, GIF, and PNG files. Your image must be smaller than 2 MB. The ideal dimensions are 1280 × 720 pixels (a 16:9 aspect ratio), which is what YouTube displays on most devices. Smaller images will work, but they may look blurry or stretched.

Before uploading, check that your thumbnail is clear and readable even at small sizes. YouTube shows thumbnails at different sizes across devices—a phone screen, a desktop search result, and a TV all display them differently. Test your design by viewing it at actual thumbnail size (about 2 inches wide on screen) to make sure text and faces are still visible.

Account verification requirement

If you have never uploaded a custom thumbnail before, YouTube may require your account to be verified. This usually means confirming your phone number. Go to Settings in YouTube Studio, click Channel, then Verification. Follow the prompts to verify by text or voice call.

Once verified, you can upload custom thumbnails to any video on that channel. Verification is a one-time step. If you have already verified your account for other YouTube features, you are ready to upload when ready.

Uploading and saving your thumbnail

Click the Upload thumbnail button and select your image file from your computer. A preview will appear showing how it looks. If it looks correct, scroll down and click Save or Publish (the button name depends on whether you are uploading a new video or editing an existing one).

The thumbnail usually appears within a few minutes, but YouTube's systems may take up to 24 hours to update it everywhere—in search results, recommendations, and your channel page. If you do not see the change right away, refresh your browser or clear your cache.

Changing a thumbnail on a video already published

Go to Content in YouTube Studio and find the video you want to edit. Click the pencil icon next to the video title. Scroll to the Thumbnail section and click Upload thumbnail to replace the current one with a new image.

Save your changes. The new thumbnail will replace the old one across YouTube. This works on videos that have been live for years—you can change the thumbnail at any time without affecting the video itself or its view count.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not upload an image larger than 2 MB or in a format YouTube does not recognize (stick to JPG, PNG, or GIF). Do not use text that is too small to read at thumbnail size—viewers on phones will not be able to see it. Avoid thumbnails that are drastically different from your video content, as this can confuse viewers and hurt your watch time.

Do not assume your thumbnail will look the same on every device. Test it on a phone, tablet, and computer before publishing. If you are uploading a new video, you can upload the thumbnail at the same time as the video file—you do not have to wait for the video to finish processing first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's image as my thumbnail?

Technically you can upload any image, but using someone else's copyrighted photo without permission violates YouTube's policies and could result in a copyright strike. Use images you own, have permission to use, or have purchased a license for. Free stock photo sites like Unsplash and Pexels offer images you can use legally.

What if my account is not verified yet?

You will see a message saying custom thumbnails are not yet available. Go to Settings > Channel > Verification and follow the steps to verify by phone. This usually takes a few minutes. Once verified, you can upload thumbnails when ready.

Why is my thumbnail still showing the old image?

YouTube's servers can take up to 24 hours to update thumbnails everywhere. Try refreshing your browser, clearing your cache, or checking on a different device. If more than a day has passed and the old thumbnail still appears, try uploading the new one again.

Can I change the thumbnail on my phone?

No. The YouTube mobile app does not have a thumbnail upload feature. You must use YouTube Studio on a computer. Open a web browser, go to youtube.com, and sign in to access Studio.

What size should my text be in the thumbnail?

Text should be large enough to read when the thumbnail is the size of a postage stamp on screen. A good rule is to make any text at least 10 percent of the thumbnail's height. Test your design at actual thumbnail size before uploading.