- You designed a YouTube thumbnail
- But you’re not sure how to save it…
- PNG or JPG?
We’ll help with that.
The best type for YouTube Thumbnails (JPG)
Always save YouTube thumbnails as JPG/JPEG files. It’s the best format for YouTube’s requirements and compression.
Pro Tip: With JPG thumbnails that are properly sized, you’re avoiding the extra black bars that sometimes come with images that don’t follow the size requirements.
| Aspect | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Minimum Width | 640 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| File Size | Under 2MB |
| File Format | JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG |
| Image Quality | High resolution (use the highest quality possible) |
For more on this, make sure to read our thumbnail size and format guide, where we’re explaining everything about thumbnail requirements.
This post is just about the PNG vs JPEG discussion. Speaking of which…
FAQ: Thumbnail File Format
1. Can you use a PNG as a YouTube thumbnail?
Yes, you can use a PNG image as a YouTube thumbnail. PNG files are preferred for their high quality and transparency support.
2. Should a YouTube thumbnail be JPG or PNG?
For YouTube thumbnails, both JPG and PNG formats work well. JPG is ideal for smaller file sizes, while PNG is better for higher quality and transparency needs.
3. Which format is best for YouTube thumbnails?
The best format for YouTube thumbnails is JPG, as it has a good balance between quality and file size, making it ideal for quick loading times.
Take a look at this:
- JPG is the most common choice and offers a good balance between quality and file size.
- PNG is better for images with text or complex details, but the file size can be larger.
- Animated thumbnails can be created with GIFs, but they have a very small file size limit and can be distracting for viewers.
Thank you for reading this,
Thumbnail Test
