YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Maker

Make a vertical 9:16 image for YouTube Shorts at 1080 × 1920, 2160 × 3840 or a custom 9:16 size. Add a photo or gradient, a title, an optional subtitle and a logo, check readability guides and contrast, and export JPG or PNG.

Social Media Runs client-side Free to use

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About the YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Maker

YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Maker creates a vertical 9:16 image you can use as artwork for a Short. Choose the standard 1080 × 1920 px size, a high-resolution 2160 × 3840 px size, or a custom 9:16 width — the height is set automatically. Use your own background photo, dragging, zooming or resetting it, or pick a solid colour or gradient, then add a title, an optional subtitle and a logo. Each text layer has size, colour, weight, alignment, shadow and outline controls, and you can drag it on the preview.

Optional editor-only guides show shaded readability bands at the top and bottom, where on-screen labels and buttons often appear in vertical feeds, plus centre lines and a centred square to help you keep the subject in the middle. A contrast warning appears when text may be hard to read. Guides are never exported. This tool only creates an image file: it does not use YouTube APIs or upload anything, and it cannot make YouTube use the image as a thumbnail. Confirm YouTube’s current Shorts thumbnail options, requirements and your account’s eligibility yourself.

How to use

Pick 1080 × 1920, 2160 × 3840 or a custom 9:16 width.
Set the background — photo, colour or gradient — and position it.
Write a title and, if you like, a subtitle, then style and drag them.
Add a logo, check the readability guides and fix any contrast warning.
Export as JPG or PNG and download.

Key features

Standard and high-resolution 9:16 presets plus custom 9:16 sizes.
Background photo with drag, zoom, reset and remove, or colour and gradient backgrounds.
Title and optional subtitle with size, colour, weight, alignment, shadow and outline.
One logo overlay with move, resize, replace and delete.
Editor-only readability bands, centre lines and centred square guide.
Contrast warning; JPG or PNG export with final dimensions and file size.

Best practices

Keep the title short and large, near the middle of the frame.
Avoid placing key text inside the shaded top and bottom bands.
Use strong contrast, or an outline, so text reads over busy photos.
Use the high-resolution preset when your source photo is large and sharp.
Check YouTube’s current Shorts thumbnail options before relying on a custom image.

Benefits

Correct 9:16 dimensions every time.
Readable text thanks to guides and contrast checks.
Fast, free and private — no uploads.
Consistent branding across your Shorts.

Frequently asked questions

What size should a Shorts image be?

Shorts are vertical 9:16 videos, so this tool makes 9:16 images: 1080 × 1920 px by default, 2160 × 3840 px for high resolution, or any custom 9:16 width from 360 to 2160 px.

Can I set this image as my Short’s thumbnail automatically?

No. The tool only creates an image file on your device. It does not use YouTube APIs or upload anything. Whether and how you can choose a custom thumbnail for a Short depends on YouTube’s current features and your account, so check that yourself.

What do the guides show?

Shaded bands at the top and bottom mark areas where labels and buttons often appear in vertical feeds, and the blue centre lines and square help you keep the subject centred. They are placement aids only, can be turned off, and are never included in the download.

Why is there a contrast warning?

The tool samples the background behind your text. When much of it has less than 3:1 contrast with the text colour, it warns you so you can change the colour, add an outline or adjust the background.

Can I add a subtitle?

Yes. The subtitle is optional — switch it on or off — and it has its own style controls.

Will a better thumbnail guarantee more views?

No. A clear image can help viewers understand your video, but views depend on many factors outside this tool’s control.

Are my images uploaded anywhere?

No. Your images, text and the finished file stay in your browser. The tool makes no server requests for your content and does not connect to any social network.