Related Fix: “For now, you can’t change the thumbnail on your Short“.
For both mobile and desktop: Open the YouTube Studio website > Content > Find your Shorts video > Edit > In “Thumbnail”, click “Upload thumbnail” > Find & Upload your image.
That’s it!
Pro Tip: Also change an already-uploaded thumbnail. Hover your cursor above it > Click “Change” > Upload your file > Save.
Size for Shorts Thumbnails: 1080×1920 pixels (9:16 ratio).
It’s the reverse of the standard desktop waller size (1920×1080).
Yes, and it works just like on any other video: Open YouTube Studio > Find your Shorts video > Click to edit > Scroll to “Thumbnail” > Upload yours > save.
Any guide saying otherwise is wrong — that’s just outdated facts.
Most likely because you’re using the YouTube Shorts app. Go to the ‘studio.youtube.com‘ website instead of using the mobile app.
This feature isn’t yet available in the mobile app.
As of February 2024, every YouTube creator account should have the feature to add a custom thumbnail for YouTube Shorts.
In 95% of the cases, YouTube Shorts doesn’t show thumbnails because they were just uploaded and it’s too soon for them to be indexed.
Here’s what they might look like:
The other 5% is most likely due to internet issues, so make sure you’re connected.
You’ve just learned how to add & change the thumbnail of any YouTube Shorts video.
Thank you for reading this,
Thumbnail Test
