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For a standard YouTube video, use a custom thumbnail of 3840 × 2160 pixels (16:9). For a Short, use 2160 × 3840 pixels (9:16). These are YouTube’s current recommendations for thumbnail images—not the resolution of the video itself.
Recommended YouTube thumbnail dimensions
| Content | Recommended size | Aspect ratio | Minimum dimension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard video | 3840 × 2160 pixels | 16:9 | 640 pixels wide |
| Short | 2160 × 3840 pixels | 9:16 | 640 pixels high |
| Podcast playlist image | Not stated in YouTube Help’s current guidance | 1:1 | Not stated |
YouTube recommends these dimensions; they are not stated as minimum upload requirements. Its custom-thumbnail guidance says to use 16:9 for videos and 9:16 for Shorts. A larger image is recommended for standard videos because the thumbnail is also used as the preview image in the embedded player.
Why do some guides say 1280 × 720?
1280 × 720 is 720p video resolution, not YouTube’s current recommended custom-thumbnail size for a standard video. YouTube’s video resolution guidance concerns playback resolution, while its thumbnail guidance recommends 3840 × 2160 pixels.
There is also a separate 1280 × 720 threshold for YouTube’s Test & Compare feature: if any thumbnail in an experiment is below 720p (1280 × 720), all experiment thumbnails are downscaled to 480p (854 × 480). That rule applies to thumbnail experiments; it does not replace the general thumbnail recommendation. See YouTube’s Test & Compare guidance.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems#1 Best Overall
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- 【𝟑𝟔𝟎° 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰】 Easily navigate your home’s view with new app features like Quick Focus Tap and Panoramic View, allowing you to instantly switch focus by tapping the desired area on your screen.
- 【𝐀𝐈-𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠】 Harness the power of advanced on-device AI to distinguish humans, pets, audio cues, and crying sounds. The camera automatically tracks movement when a person or pet is detected, providing a complete view of their activity.
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- 【𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲】Works effortlessly with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant for enhanced home automation. (Note: HomeKit supports up to 1080P resolution.)
Formats, file limits, and eligibility
Image format and file size
YouTube recommends image formats such as JPG or PNG. The upload-size limit depends on device and thumbnail type:
| Upload device | Video and Shorts thumbnails | Podcast thumbnails |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 2 MB | 10 MB |
| Desktop | 50 MB | 50 MB |
These limits and format guidance are from YouTube Help’s custom-thumbnail page.
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- 2K HD Resolution, Every Moment in View: Experience clear 2K resolution, 351° panoramic view, 60° tilt, 4× zoom—plus split screen to watch two babies at once, day or night. Note: Camera must be plugged in to use.
- Hybrid Monitoring, Always in Sight: Never miss a moment with hybrid connection, providing a stable local feed without Wi-Fi, and seamless remote access when you're away. Easily share viewing access with up to 5 family members, keeping everyone connected.Note: Please upgrade the app version to V5.6.0 or above before use.
- 12-Hour Battery Power, All-Night Watch: With a 5,000mAh high-capacity battery, enjoy up to 12 hours of screen time on a single charge. Keep your little one under constant, dependable guardian. Note: Battery life is based on internal lab testing and actual performance may vary.
- Smart Detection and Alerts, Proactive Protection: An advanced sensing system continually monitors your baby's every kick and roll, cries, room temperature, and unusual noises. Customisable alert settings reduce distractions, ensuring the critical updates while ensuring quick responses when it matters most.
- Privacy Protection, Worry-Free Security: Secure and private monitoring with reliable local connection. One-tap Wi-Fi off in the app keeps hackers out. RSA-1024 and AES-128 encryption, with each recording uniquely stored locally. Note: SD card not included. The SD card slot is located underneath the camera lens.
Account and content rules
Your account must be verified to upload a custom thumbnail. The image must follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines. YouTube gives nudity or sexually provocative content, hate speech, violence, and harmful or dangerous content as examples that may lead to rejection and a strike. Daily upload limits can vary by country or region and channel history.
How vertical-video thumbnails appear
A vertical video with a 16:9 custom thumbnail may appear with an automatically generated 4:5 thumbnail on Home, Explore, and subscription pages. YouTube says the custom thumbnail remains visible in the watch feed, watch history, and on non-mobile platforms. This display behavior is a reason to design a Short’s custom thumbnail vertically at the recommended 9:16 ratio rather than assuming a single image crop will appear identically everywhere.
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Rank #3
- See Clearly with 2K: The 2K lens delivers a highly detailed home protection experience. Don't let any risks slip under the radar.
- On Device AI Detects Motion and Humans: Detects and recognizes human figures, then records their entire route, ensuring they're kept in sight.
- Total Security with 360° Surveillance: The 360° pan and tilt capabilities ensure a complete view of your space without blind spots.
- Privacy Mode: Activate privacy mode with a single press and your camera will face away to a preset position.
- Local Security, No Monthly Fee: Don't pay a monthly fee to receive notifications or record videos. Insert a microSD card, up to 128 GB, for direct storage. Note: It is now fully compatible with HomeBase 3. Including storage function and BionicMind Al. To access, please update the Homebase 3 firmware version to 3.5.4.8 or above. Frimware Requirements: Please update the eufy Security app to version 4.8.9 or above and the IndoorCam C220 firmware to version 3.9.8.0 or above.
Or skip the browser setup
If you need a screenshot of a webpage as a thumbnail starting point, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. One GET request returns an image or PDF. For example, this cURL request saves a webpage screenshot as WebP:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Relevant Recordings: The on-device AI determines whether a human or pet is present and only records when an event of interest occurs.
- The Key is in the Detail: View every event in up to 2K clarity (1080P while using HomeKit) so you see exactly what is happening inside your home.
- Smart Integration: Connect your IndoorCam to Apple HomeKit, the Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa for complete control over your surveillance. (HomeKit available via update. When opening HomeKit, users must add the device in the eufy Security app and then complete the activation process.)
- Follows the Action: When motion is detected the camera automatically tracks and follows the moving object. Pan the lens 360° horizontally or tilt it 96° vertically to get a clear view of the whole room.
- Communicate From Your Camera: Speak in real-time to anyone who passes via the camera’s built-in two-way audio.
Rank #4
- Relevant Recordings -The on-device AI determines whether a human or pet is present and only records when an event of interest occurs.
- The Key is in the Detail - View every event in up to 2K clarity (1080P while using HomeKit) so you see exactly what is happening inside your home.
- Smart Integration -Connect your Indoor Cam to Apple HomeKit (Please download our HomeKit User Guide in the product information section below), the Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa for complete control over your surveillance. (HomeKit available via update. When opening HomeKit, users must add the device in the eufy Security app and then complete the activation process.)
- Follows the Action -When motion is detected the camera automatically tracks and follows the moving object. Pan the lens 360° horizontally or tilt it 96° vertically to get a clear view of the whole room.
See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. Cookie banners, popups, and chat widgets are removed before the shot; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for free.
Sources
- YouTube Help: Add custom thumbnails on YouTube – Computer
- YouTube Help: Video resolution & aspect ratios – Computer
- YouTube Help: Test & compare thumbnails
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