How to make a thumbnail
- Add your video to the editor.
- Write a short title in the AI thumbnail section of the AI tab — three to five words work best.
- Choose a style and size: Bold yellow, Clean white or Red banner; YouTube 16:9 (1280 × 720), Shorts / Reels 9:16 or Square 1:1.
- Press Make thumbnail, then ⬇ Download PNG. Not the right moment? Try another frame offers the next-best candidate.
What the AI does
- Frame scoring — sharpness, a visible face and balanced exposure count in a frame's favour; the six best, clearly different moments are then checked for smiles and expression with a face-landmark model.
- Subject pop — colours and contrast are boosted, the edges of the frame are darkened, and the person is cut out and given a thin white glow so they stand out at small sizes.
- Smart title placement — the title goes on the side of the frame opposite the face, so it never covers the subject.
- Three sizes for YouTube, Shorts/Reels/TikTok covers and square posts.
Tip: thumbnails are mostly seen at the size of a postage stamp. Check yours at 20% zoom: if you can't read the title or see the face, simplify it.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the thumbnail?
The YouTube size is 1280 × 720 pixels, the size YouTube recommends. The 9:16 and square versions are sized for Shorts, Reels and feed posts.
Can I use my own photo instead of a video frame?
Add the photo to the timeline as a clip — the thumbnail maker considers photos as well as video frames.
Does it add a watermark?
No. The PNG is yours, with nothing added.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The frames are analysed in your browser.