How to Add a Thumbnail on a YouTube Video?

TL;DR To add a thumbnail to your YouTube video, use the Creator Studio on desktop or the YouTube Studio app on mobile. Ensure your channel is verified for custom thumbnails.

Using YouTube Creator Studio

For desktop users, adding a thumbnail can be done through YouTube's Creator Studio. Navigate to the video you want to edit, click on its name, and find the option to add a thumbnail below the description box [1:1]. This straightforward method allows you to upload a custom image as a thumbnail if your channel is verified [4:1].

Mobile App Method

If you're managing your channel from a mobile device, the YouTube Studio app provides a way to add thumbnails. After selecting the video in the app, tap "edit," then click on the pencil icon over the current thumbnail to upload a new one from your library [3:1].

Troubleshooting Thumbnail Upload Issues

Some users have experienced issues with thumbnails appearing incorrectly, such as showing colored stripes instead of the intended image. Switching browsers can resolve this issue; for example, using Chrome instead of LibreWolf helped one user successfully upload their thumbnail [2:1].

Adding Thumbnails to Video Files for Other Platforms

If you need to add a thumbnail to the start of a video file for platforms like WhatsApp, where the first frame acts as the thumbnail, you can create a short video displaying your desired thumbnail and concatenate it with the rest of the video using tools like LosslessCut (an ffmpeg GUI) [5:1]. However, note that support for poster frames or cover art varies across different apps and formats [5:2].

By following these steps, you should be able to effectively manage thumbnails for your YouTube videos, whether you're working from a computer or a mobile device.

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POST SUMMARY • [1]

Summarize

How do you add thumbnails to your videos?

Posted by 1XCG · in r/NewTubers · 6 years ago

02 replies

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ORIGINAL POST

I have been trying to find a way to add a thumbnail for at least a year. So far I know how to create one, but not add it. What do I do?

2 replies

improvementgeek · 6 years ago

Go into Creator Studio, click on the name of the video, and then the button to add the thumbnail is below the description box

6 upvotes on reddit

1XCG · OP · 6 years ago

Thank you

3 upvotes on reddit

See 2 replies

r/NewTubers • [2]

Summarize

Thumbnail doesn't upload correctly

Posted by Bezayne · in r/NewTubers · 5 months ago

Hallo, brandnew creator here. So I finally got my first two videos created, got them uploaded, now I want to add thumbnails. When uploading a thumbnail, I don't get an error message, but the image just shows as some coloured stripes. I use jpg format, less than 2MB. I actually had the same problem already when trying to update the banner for my channel, it uploaded without error, but the image shown again only consists of colourful stripes, looks almost like a barcode.

Sadly I can't add pictures here to show it.

Anyone here able to help, please?

1 upvotes on reddit

1 replies

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1 replies

Bezayne · OP · 5 months ago

Ok, I found a fix - using a different browser works. Tried with LibreWolf at first, which creates the problem. Using Chrome now, and everything works fine.

1 upvotes on reddit

See 1 replies

r/NewTubers • [3]

Summarize

I can’t figure out how to attach a thumbnail.

Posted by Baseballdragon456_YT · in r/NewTubers · 5 years ago

Can anyone tell me how/if you can put a thumbnail on a video from my phone? I run my channel entirely off my phone, and haven’t really been able to figure this out.

1 upvotes on reddit

2 replies

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2 replies

[deleted] · 5 years ago

If your using the YouTube studio app, once u go on your video and tap edit. You will see a pencil icon on your thumbnail. Tap that and upload from library.

2 upvotes on reddit

Baseballdragon456_YT · OP · 5 years ago

Thanks.

1 upvotes on reddit

See 2 replies

r/NewTubers • [4]

Summarize

I have a question about YouTube thumbnails.

Posted by johnclellonholmes · in r/NewTubers · 1 month ago

I've uploaded a video that I don't want to take down or delete and put back up, but instead I want to add an image to the existing video (a new one) that I want to use as the thumbnail. Is there a way to do this at all?

2 upvotes on reddit

1 replies

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1 replies

NickyTheStickie · 1 month ago

You can't do that, but if your channel is verified, you can upload custom thumbnails. But if my memory is correct, you have to do this by using a valid phone number, and I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's the only way.

1 upvotes on reddit

See 1 replies

r/ffmpeg • [5]

Summarize

Add thumbnail to start of video?

Posted by Mighty-Bear · in r/ffmpeg · 7 months ago

I need to either add a thumbnail to the start of video or add a 1 sec segment to the start of a video file. I used yt-dlp to download a clip of a video and I want to share it on WhatsApp.

However, on WhatsApp if I only add a thumbnail it won't be shown as the actual thumbnail of the video, by what I understood WhatsApp's thumbnail is the first frame.

Therefore I'd like to know if anyone has an idea of how can I add a thumbnail to the start of the video. I transform the PNG/jpeg into a video and then use concat with the rest? I remember trying this and it would mess with the audio sync.

2 upvotes on reddit

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2 replies

wywhsoycd · 7 months ago

I recently tried to make custom Poster Frames or CoverArt to movies because some default frames are not so good.

Short version: it seems Poster Frames or CoverArt is not currently very well supported. Some apps display them and some do not. macOS Sequoia Finder Icon view seems to best display them. Some wrappers like .mp4 behave differently than .mov. Some new iPhone .mov behave differently than old .mov. This seems to be a moving target.

Long version: It might work for .mp4 and .m4v with ffmpeg 7 (here a frame 11.2 seconds from the beginning of the movie -- notice that the input.mp4 is twice in that command, and that this does not work in ffmpeg 4):

ffmpeg7 -i input.mp4 -ss 11.2 -i input.mp4 -map 0 -map 1:v:0 -c copy -c:v:1 png -filter:v:1 trim=end_frame=1,setpts=0 -fps_mode:v:1 passthrough -disposition:v:1 attached_pic output.mp4

But for some reason it does not work for .mov: macOS 14 QuickTime Player displays the old Poster Frame and exiftool does not report any ItemList:CoverArt in the output .mov.

Or in two steps to insert .jpg 11.2 seconds from the start to movie's ItemList:CoverArt:

ffmpeg -ss 11.2 -i input.mp4 -frames:v 1 image-%03d.jpg

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -i image-001.jpg -map 0 -map 1 -c copy -disposition:v:1 attached_pic output.mp4

In macOS Sequoia neither QuickTime Player nor Photos display the CoverArt. Finder Icon view displays it, though.

A workaround for .mov is to extract .png and use exiftool to insert it as Poster Frame:

ffmpeg -ss 11.2 -i input.mov -frames:v 1 image-%03d.png

exiftool -P -overwrite_original -api LargeFileSupport=1 '-CoverArt<=image-001.png' input.mov

The .png that ffmpeg extracts from some (not all) 4K HEVC 10-bit HLG .mov files is quite huge (43.6 MB, 3840x2160 Deep Color) so it bloats the movie. So it might be better extract .jpg (which from that same .mov is just 0.5 MB 3840x2160 True color .jpg) for this purpose. Apple's Compressor 4.7 also uses .jpg in CoverArt Poster Frames.

macOS 14 Sonoma Photos.app uses the first (maybe black) frame as the keyframe. To change, open the video in Edit mode, then use the video controls to select the frame, then go to the "Image > Make Poster Frame". But that is useful inside Photos.app only.

Compressor can add a Poster Frame but it is displayed only in the Finder > Get Info. The same can be done in QuickTime Player by copying a frame from the movie and then pasting it to Finder > Get Info.

1 upvotes on reddit

spiritbussy · 7 months ago

make a 1 sec vid displaying your thumbnail
losslesscut (ffmpeg gui) to concat

1 upvotes on reddit

See 2 replies

r/NewTubers • [6]

Summarize

Why Thumbnails Matter More Than You Think on YouTube?

Posted by LegitimateMemory8684 · in r/NewTubers · 4 months ago

Just wanted to share a quick insight for fellow creators: thumbnails are way more important than most people realize. You could have the most amazing video, but if your thumbnail doesn't grab attention, people won't click.

Think of it like a movie poster—it’s your first impression. A good thumbnail should spark curiosity, be visually clear, and match your video’s vibe. Bright colors, expressive faces, and bold text often work best.

I recently tested this on my channel and saw a clear boost in CTR just by tweaking thumbnails.

Bottom line: spend time on your thumbnails—it’s worth it. Anyone else seen a big difference after improving theirs?

Let’s talk strategy

25 upvotes on reddit

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12 replies

extra_grass1 · 4 months ago

Im pretty sure almost everyone knows this though

26 upvotes on reddit

LegitimateMemory8684 · OP · 4 months ago

Totally fair ,it does seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many creators still treat thumbnails as an afterthought. Even small tweaks can lead to big changes in click-through rates.

1 upvotes on reddit

bikingfury · 4 months ago

But is that right. Do you think YouTube should make or break careers based on a stupid thumbnail? Shouldn't the content itself be what creators should focus on? I think people should not care about thumbnails. Not creators and not viewers. I for example judge a video much more about what's seen in the preview when I hover over it, than the thumbnail. And that preview is 100% YouTube.

-1 upvotes on reddit

extra_grass1 · 4 months ago

Imo most of them are lazy with their content in general though. This might not be everyone bit for the people I've seen it generally has.

5 upvotes on reddit

Thebrokentech · 4 months ago

No they don't lmaooo you're only saying this because you see the successful creators doing it but they are successful for a reason.

90% of YouTube are not these people and if you look a noobie creators, you can see a large difference in thumbnail quality.

-4 upvotes on reddit

extra_grass1 · 4 months ago

If someone has even watched 1 tutorial they would hear this 100 times. If you aren't researching you really dont care

6 upvotes on reddit

ryanknol · 4 months ago

Use autothumbs.com the use that or recreate it better. The AI puts out God tier shit sometimes.

3 upvotes on reddit

NovaaAZ · 4 months ago

Definitely true. Finding a style and evolving it is fantastic to watch happen. I started with some rather embarrassingly lazy styled thumbnails and have over almost a year finally just began to figure out a style that looks sorta nice and has been getting consistent decent results. Definitely enjoyable to see the time turn to somewhat skills and pay off a little

4 upvotes on reddit

LegitimateMemory8684 · OP · 4 months ago

Exactly! It’s wild how much progress you can see when you stick with it. Starting with basic or even lazy thumbnails is just part of the journey. The glow-up feels so real when your style clicks and the views start showing it. Keep going ,those little wins add up fast! What’s your current go-to style?

1 upvotes on reddit

NovaaAZ · 4 months ago

I have gone for a sortof minimalism style, its a double border theme that allows me to use 3D cutouts of anything that the video is related to and still allows space for an additional item or two without being cluttered

2 upvotes on reddit

MrRaiPlays · 4 months ago

Learning more about this art every day 🥳

8 upvotes on reddit

-abM-p0sTpWnEd · 4 months ago

I get this, and have since the beginning. I think my problem is I don't really know what makes a thumbnail good or the best way to go about making one. I think mine are...ok? I've spent a lot of time on them but when I look at them they do seem amateurish and I'm not really sure why or how to fix it.

3 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/4kdownloadapps • [7]

Summarize

Request to add an option to download youtube thumbnails along with the video

Posted by SlavaBogo · in r/4kdownloadapps · 15 days ago

As title, when there is a video with a thumbnail that adds context, or that i like and want to have with the video file, i have to download the thumbnail separately.

Is there a way for you to add the functionality of thumbnail download, so that we can do that as we download the video like we do with subtitles?.

Thank you.

8 upvotes on reddit

3 replies

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3 replies

panda88panda · 14 days ago

I would like this capability as well!

2 upvotes on reddit

PrezGAR · 15 days ago

It's not just you. Ive had several videos fail to download. I tried other programs, with the same result, so the problem is on Youtube's end. New measures to try to prevent third party downloads probably.

0 upvotes on reddit

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1 upvotes on reddit

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r/NewTubers • [8]

Summarize

Is there a way to add a thumbnail through the YouTube Studio App or the YouTube App?

Posted by rawrtherapybackup · in r/NewTubers · 4 years ago

The title basically

9 upvotes on reddit

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5 replies

KeltonO5 · 4 years ago

YT Studio, yes! Just go to the edit page of the video and press the pencil icon that's on top of of the existing thumbnail. There you can choose or upload a new thumbnail.

Hope this helps!

11 upvotes on reddit

rawrtherapybackup · OP · 4 years ago

Omg

I just realized there’s an edit button on the current thumbnail image -_____-

Thank you SO much

2 upvotes on reddit

JimmyTehF · 4 years ago

Been using the app for 18 months and didn't know this - thank you

5 upvotes on reddit

Peanut_Gaming · 4 years ago

Bruh same lmaoo! Thanks for the new information dude

5 upvotes on reddit

rawrtherapybackup · OP · 4 years ago

Same lol

1 upvotes on reddit

See 5 replies

r/youtube • [9]

Summarize

How do I use a frame from my uploaded video as a thumbnail? [Thumbnail FD]

Posted by CrypticGator · in r/youtube · 5 years ago

I'd like to use a certain part of my video as the thumbnail instead of the random part that YouTube chose for me. If this is possible, can someone show me how to do it? I appreciate the help. Thanks.

6 upvotes on reddit

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BenjaminDaaly21 · 5 years ago

I know you can do it with the Tubebuddy Chrome extension (might be available on other browsers as well).

2 upvotes on reddit

CrypticGator · OP · 5 years ago

Thank you. I'll try that. You would think something as trivial as that would be possible without addons/extensions/mods. I tried going through all the settings and stuff and couldn't find anything. I also used google to look for one and I got nothing. There may still be a first-party method, but it's well hidden, at least hidden from me.

1 upvotes on reddit

BenjaminDaaly21 · 5 years ago

You do have Custom Thumbnails enabled in your channel settings right?

2 upvotes on reddit

AutoModerator · 5 years ago

Hi CrypticGator! We've approved your post.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/NewTubers • [10]

Summarize

My Checklist for a Good YouTube Thumbnail!

Posted by NickNaskida · in r/NewTubers · 6 months ago

Hey guys!

I've always struggled to create thumbnails that get clicks. I've spent hours messing around in Canva or Photoshop, only to end up with something that just feels off.

However, I finally think I figured out how to make attention-grabbing thumbnails.

First of all, before starting on thumbnail make sure you have:

A title ready
Know concept of the video

This will help you a lot during the designing phase.

Next, understand what makes a thumbnail work:

High-quality images – No blurry or pixelated pictures.
Bold, readable text – If you use text, make sure it’s clear even on a small screen.
Bright, high-contrast colors – Thumbnails that pop get more clicks.
Simple design – Too much clutter makes it harder to understand.
Consistent style – If all your thumbnails look different, your brand gets lost.
Something intriguing – A reaction, an unusual object, or a hint of mystery helps.

Finally, here are the elements I try to have (as many as possible):

Face emotions
Eye catching colors
Simplistic design
No text (if possible)
Contrast (everything should be visible easily)
No empty space (Utilize the space best as possible)
WOW factor or Conflict (A unique object or place, two objects that clash, or creating intense scenes)

Curious to hear what’s working for you guys!

5 upvotes on reddit

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changeLynx · 6 months ago

I make now a GPT from it, let's see if it is really so clear (did not read it tho)
Edit: I will send you the result

1 upvotes on reddit

Parallax-Jack · 6 months ago

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AI Answer

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How to add a thumbnail on a Youtube video

Here’s how to add a thumbnail to your YouTube video:

Sign In to YouTube Studio:
- Go to YouTube Studio and sign in with your Google account.
Select Your Video:
- Click on the "Content" tab on the left sidebar.
- Find the video you want to add a thumbnail to and click on its title or the pencil icon (Edit).
Upload Thumbnail:
- In the video details section, scroll down to the "Thumbnail" section.
- You will see three auto-generated thumbnails. Click on the "Upload thumbnail" button to choose a custom image from your device.
Choose Your Thumbnail:
- Select an image that meets YouTube's guidelines (minimum resolution of 1280x720 pixels, under 2MB, and in JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG format).
Save Changes:
- After uploading, make sure to click the "Save" button in the upper right corner to apply your changes.

Key Considerations:

Thumbnail Design: Make your thumbnail eye-catching and relevant to your video content. Use bold text and high-contrast colors to grab attention.
Branding: Consider adding your logo or a consistent style to your thumbnails to build brand recognition.
Testing: Experiment with different thumbnails to see which ones perform better in terms of click-through rates.

Recommendation: Custom thumbnails can significantly increase your video's visibility and engagement, so take the time to create a compelling one!

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