Elevate Your Content’s Appeal: How to Resize YouTube Thumbnails Right

There is a saying that first impressions last, and this is proven true, especially when it comes to YouTube video viewership. For sure, you have experienced watching a video out of curiosity because of its thumbnail. That is why content creators take time to resize YouTube thumbnails or use a YouTube thumbnail size converter to customize the preview images that represent their videos.

This technique not only attract viewers to watch your video, but it also gives a glimpse of your content. In this article, we will provide you with a quick tutorial on how to resize a YouTube thumbnail and suggest handy tools you can use to create the perfect YouTube video thumbnail!

Best YouTube Thumbnail Size

According to YouTube’s help center, there are some things to remember when creating a thumbnail for your YouTube videos.

First, make sure that the thumbnail size is 1280 pixels by 720 pixels and 640 pixels wide. It is the best YouTube thumbnail size.
When it comes to the thumbnail dimension, make sure to use an aspect ratio of 16:9.
Also, your YouTube thumbnail image should not exceed 2MB and is in either JPG, GIF or PNG format.

How To Resize Your YouTube Thumbnail

The primary reason for changing the YouTube thumbnail size is to gain more audience. If you are a content creator, your main goal is to introduce your content to a wider range of viewers, right? So you have to pay attention to even the smallest detail, such as YouTube thumbnails to increase viewership and top YouTube SEO.

In fact, YouTube recommends this technique to get more viewers. Also, resizing your YouTube thumbnail will prevent you from getting the “file larger than 2MB error” which can cause your thumbnail to be discarded.

So, how can you use this technique? Check our tutorial below as we walk you through various recommended methods for resizing a YouTube thumbnail:

Method 1: Resize YouTube Thumbnail With Windows Default App

The easiest way to resize YouTube thumbnails is through the Windows default app. Within just a few modifications, you can resize your thumbnail to fit as a preview image for your YouTube video.

Please take note that your image should be at least 2 megabytes or less to achieve the perfect YouTube thumbnail fit. If your image exceeds the limit, your thumbnail will either be rejected, or your image will have a black screen around it-which is not ideal at all.

Now, let us start the tutorial.

Step1 Open an image you want to set as a thumbnail. Then, Right-click> Resize.

Step2 Select “Define custom dimensions.”

Step3 Set the width to 1280 and the height to 720. Then tick the box for “Maintain Aspect Ratio “and click “Save Resized Copy.”

Step4 Click the upload thumbnail button on YouTube and import your resized image.

Method 2. Online YouTube Thumbnail Size Converter

The second method you can use is the online YouTube thumbnail size converter. As it completely works in browsers, you do not need to worry about any app installation to access the feature. Furthermore, using online YouTube thumbnail size converters ensures you maintain your image resolution and prevents it from getting blurry or pixelated.

There are various YouTube thumbnail resizers available online. Some of the most popular are Fotor, Super Image Converter, Pixelied, Super Image Converter , Adobe Express , Newisty, and Promo . Let us focus on the last online tool and the steps on how to use it.

Promo is a free online software you can use to convert an image to a YouTube thumbnail. It is one of the best YouTube Thumbnail tools as it uses simple operation steps and automatically resizes your image without losing its quality.

Here are the steps on how to use the Promo YouTube thumbnail size converter:

Step1 Go to Promo’s official website and import your image

Step2 Scroll down and find the YouTube thumbnail size where your resized image is displayed. Then, click “Download.”

Method 3: Convert the Image to YouTube Thumbnail Using Wondershare Filmora

It is without a doubt that online YouTube thumbnail resizers are great tools for converting your image to an ideal YouTube thumbnail. But it would be much better if you resize your video using the same app you use for editing. That way, you will save time using two separate apps, and your task will be much more efficient using an all-in-one video editing tool.

Wondershare Filmora , one of the most well-known software for creating high-quality and compelling videos, combines these functions in one app. Filmora is not just an excellent software for crafting YouTube videos but also a reliable tool you can use in creating and resizing YouTube thumbnails.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Here is the step-by-step tutorial on how to use Filmora in resizing your YouTube thumbnail. It is divided into two parts:

1. Take a Snapshot as the Thumbnail with Filmora

Step1 Open the video in the timeline, click the play icon in the player window, and pause when you reach the desired frame for the YouTube thumbnail. Click the camera icon to take a snapshot.

Step2 In the snapshot window, choose to save the snapshot as a PNG or JPG file.

Step3 Select the output storage location and click OK.

2. Resize the YouTube Thumbnail

Step1 Import the image into the app timeline.

Step2 Drag and drop the image into the timeline and click the green “Export“ button. In the popup Export window, select GIF. Next, click “Settings“ to adjust the resolution.

Step3 As the recommended size of a YouTube Thumbnail is 1280 * 720 pixels, you can set the resolution to 1280 * 720. Then click Apply and Export the GIF. You can now upload the GIF thumbnail to your YouTube account.

Method 4. Convert Images to YouTube Thumbnail Using Third-Party Software

In addition to using dedicated video editing software, several third-party image editing programs can be used to resize images for use as YouTube thumbnails. Programs like GIMP are popular for this purpose, as it offers a wide range of tools and features for editing and resizing images.

This program allows you to import an image, resize it to the dimensions required for a YouTube thumbnail (typically 1280 x 720 pixels), and save the edited version to your desired location. Using an image editing program can be a good option if you need more control over the appearance of your thumbnail or if you want to make more extensive edits beyond simply resizing the image.

To resize an image using an image editing program like GIMP, follow these steps:

Step1 Install and launch GIMP on your computer.

Step2 Click on “File“ > “Open,” then search for the file you want to resize.

Step3 Click on “Image“ > “Scale Image“ and make sure that the resolution is 1920 by 1080.

Step4 Click on “File“ > “Export As“ and toggle the “Select File Type (By Extension)“ option. Choose JPG/JPEG format because it can compress the thumbnail enough to stay within the limit of 2 megabytes.

Step5 You can change the quality of the image and click the “Export“ button to save the thumbnail.

Comparison of These 4 YouTube Thumbnail Resizing Methods

Now that we’ve explored the four methods for resizing YouTube thumbnails, it’s time to compare the pros and cons of each method. In this section, we’ll consider factors such as ease of use, speed, quality, cost, and compatibility to help you determine the best option for your needs.

Take a look at the table below for a more detailed comparison.

| | Windows Default App | Online YouTube Thumbnail Size Converter | Wondershare Filmora | Third-Party Software | |
| ————————————————– | ——————————————- | ———————– | ———————— | ——– |
| Other Software Required or Not | No | Yes (Internet Browser) | Yes | Yes |
| Internet Connection Required | No | Yes | No | No |
| Complexity of Operations | Easy | Easy | Easy | Moderate |
| Support Other Editing of the YouTube Thumbnail | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| File Size Limit | None | 25MB | None | None |

Resizing YouTube thumbnails using the Windows default app is a quick and easy method that requires no additional software or tools. However, the quality of the resized thumbnail may improve if the original image is low resolution, and this method is only suitable for users on Windows operating systems.

Online YouTube thumbnail size converters are convenient and easy to use, and they can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. They also typically preserve the quality of the original image. However, some online converters may have size limits or require a subscription to unlock all features, and using an online converter can be slower than using a dedicated software tool.

Using Wondershare Filmora allows you to create and edit YouTube thumbnails within a single application, which can be a time-saving advantage if you’re already using Filmora for other video editing tasks. However, Filmora is a paid software, so there is a cost associated with using it, and it may have a steeper learning curve for users new to video editing.

Image editing programs like GIMP offer many features and tools for customizing your thumbnail, including adding text, applying filters, and making more extensive edits beyond simply resizing the image. They also typically offer more control over the quality and appearance of the resized thumbnail.

However, using a third-party image editing program may require a learning curve and maybe more time-consuming than other methods, and there may be a cost associated with purchasing the software.

Each of the four methods for resizing YouTube thumbnails has its pros and cons, and the best method will depend on the user’s specific needs and preferences.

Conclusion

This article explored four methods for resizing YouTube thumbnails: using the Windows default app, online converters, Wondershare Filmora, and image editing programs like GIMP. Each method has advantages and disadvantages; the best one depends on your specific needs and preferences. No matter your chosen method, you can resize YouTube thumbnails confidently with these tools and techniques.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Here is the step-by-step tutorial on how to use Filmora in resizing your YouTube thumbnail. It is divided into two parts:

1. Take a Snapshot as the Thumbnail with Filmora

Step2 In the snapshot window, choose to save the snapshot as a PNG or JPG file.

Step3 Select the output storage location and click OK.

2. Resize the YouTube Thumbnail

Step1 Import the image into the app timeline.

Step2 Drag and drop the image into the timeline and click the green “Export“ button. In the popup Export window, select GIF. Next, click “Settings“ to adjust the resolution.

Method 4. Convert Images to YouTube Thumbnail Using Third-Party Software

To resize an image using an image editing program like GIMP, follow these steps:

Step1 Install and launch GIMP on your computer.

Step2 Click on “File“ > “Open,” then search for the file you want to resize.

Step3 Click on “Image“ > “Scale Image“ and make sure that the resolution is 1920 by 1080.

Step5 You can change the quality of the image and click the “Export“ button to save the thumbnail.

Comparison of These 4 YouTube Thumbnail Resizing Methods

Take a look at the table below for a more detailed comparison.

However, using a third-party image editing program may require a learning curve and maybe more time-consuming than other methods, and there may be a cost associated with purchasing the software.

Each of the four methods for resizing YouTube thumbnails has its pros and cons, and the best method will depend on the user’s specific needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Turning Tides: Exploring Unique Methods to Reverse YouTube Videos

How to Reverse YouTube Video in Creative Ways

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It could be a film or a reversed meme, a boomerang video on Instagram, or a rewind effect in a playback action. The reversing results make the clip compelling and creative. At present, many video creators find YouTube as a suitable platform for such rewind effects as it has millions of diverse genre video clips. Although the mechanism behind such an act can be quite confusing, it is no more if you get to know how to reverse YouTube videos at ease. Yes, video reversers are created and developed for such a purpose, and you can read below to understand how to play YouTube videos backward.

Part 1: How to Reverse YouTube Video in the Quickest Way?
Part 2: Reverse YouTube Videos More Creatively

How to Reverse YouTube Video in the Quickest Way?

Let’s take a look at some online tools that can play YouTube videos backward.

2. Kapwing

Kapwing is an online video reverser shared stage where you can create images, videos, and GIFs to share on social media. It suits to be perfect for any content that performs varied tasks with video editor tools like trimmer, resizes, studio, subtitles, and audio addition. Kapwing is an all-in-one workspace asset that is a single secure place to place over your backup safely facilitated with cross-device capability. To whatever field of interest you might belong to from a school student, professional, media, or a design team, Kapwing is the right platform ease-to-use.

3. Clideo

Like Kapwing, Clideo is an online video reverser tool that does multiple tasking like video converter, file converter, audio joiner, video maker, and a slideshow maker. We have taken up Clideo in our list as it follows a simple interface and comes up with useful tools of the loop, stops motion, and meme required in the present video creation industry. Supporting all video formats like MPG, MOV, and VOB, Clideo is a fast editor with a high-level of data protection. Developed by Softo Ltd., Clideo has got more than 4.1M users and had made up 25M videos.

Now, let’s take a simple guide to reverse a YouTube video quickly with Clideo.

Step 1: Enter the link, https://clideo.com/reverse-video on your desired web browser like Chrome or Firefox.

Now add the files from your desktop or your smartphone from the “Choose File” option or the drop-down choose your convenient option like Dropbox, Google Drive, or YouTube URL to reverse the video.

Source: clideo.com

Step 2: Paste the YouTube link on the search box, and the video will process.

Step 3: The YouTube video will now start to play from backward where you can reverse the speed by changing the levels from 0.5X to 2X.

You can make a preview by playing or pausing the timeline of the YouTube video.

Once satisfied, hit the “Reverse” button on the right corner of the screen.

Step 4: Before downloading the revered Youtube video, you can play it once, and upon satisfaction, tap the “Download” button else you can go on with the “Back to edit” option.

You can quickly reverse a YouTube video with Clideo in just three steps, along with a watermark removal facility.

Reverse YouTube Videos More Creatively

Want to embed more creativity in your YouTube video before reversing them? Get to know some of the YouTube video downloaders from this session.

Keepvid

Keepvid is an online video downloader that converts a video directly to MP4 & MP3. It allows you to download videos from 100+ sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Vevo, Reddit, and BBC, irrespective of their video metadata. With Keepvid, you can listen to YouTube videos offline, save YouTube videos directly to MP3, download YouTube playlists everywhere, and anytime with the web-based lite-weight app.

YTD Video downloader

YTD video downloader has been in the market for years as a popular video downloader & converter. It is free to download software, allowing you to download video, audio, and playlist that could play offline. YTD video downloaded has gathered more than 200M users globally, supporting overall popular sites like Bing, Vimeo, TikTok, Yahoo, and Metacafe. With YTD, you can download the unlimited playlist and HD videos of 1080P at ultra-fast speed.

Want to reverse your YouTube video creatively and stunningly?

Wondershare Filmora is all you need, a complete pack of video/editing toolkit developed for the inspired that helps discover storytelling. It is a platform where you can create without limits, give life to your videos, craft fun in every clip, go beyond boundaries with endless possibilities, and make your epic story or adventure outstanding in the crowd. Filmora has a free version that allows you to access all the beautiful features like video reverse, ripple edit, trim, rotate, flip, zoom, edit, and audio ducking.

3.1How to Reverse Videos in Filmora?

Now that you have come to know about Filmora Wondershare, the best video reverser from the list, let’s directly jump over to a manual on how to reverse a YouTube video at ease.

Note: Before starting up, download and install the free version of Filmora on the device from https://filmora.wondershare.com/ .

Step 1: Open Filmora and click the “File” menu. Choose “New Project” from the drop-down.

Step 2: To import the YouTube video to the workplace, choose the “Import Media” option from the file menu.

From the drop-down, you can import files or folders at your convenience.

Step 3: Once the video is loaded on the media library, right-click on the track timeline and select the “Speed and Duration” option.

Tick the “Reverse Speed” checkbox and then hit the “OK” button.

Step 4: Doing so will play the YouTube video backward, and you can see the progress on the preview window.

Step 5: You can perfect your creation with filters or effects offered with Filmora.

Once done, click the “Export” option that will allow you to save the file in your destined format and export it.

You can upload the reversed YouTube video directly to your YouTube account or other social media apps with Filmora.

3.2Tips for Customizing the Reversing Videos

1. Add filters & effects: Adding filters and effects like Mosaic and Amaro can uplift your reversed video and make them attractive. Filmora has 200+ filters, utilities, overlays, and LUT.

2. Render/Perfect the audio: Audio is the backbone of the video that provokes and makes the creation sound perfect and outstanding. 76 in-built audio tracks included in Filmora consisting of tender, sentimental, folk, rock, and young categories.

3. Transform your video with transitions: While various ordinary videos crowd the Internet, make yours unique by transforming them with 3D effects and a slideshow. Filmora comes with 233 transitions like 3D, warp, dissolve & ripple slideshow, lifestyle, and still a lot more.

4. Perform video editing tricks: While trim, cut & merge, crop & flip, resize, delete, and watermark are pre-defined and traditional editing tools, why don’t you try something new like creating freeze frames, accessing sample colors, and zoom in/out timeline where Filmora has a toolkit more than what you expect.

Conclusion

Thanks to the technology behind video reversers like Clideo and Kapwing that does a great job of reversing the YouTube video online quickly. The alternatives YTD downloader and Keepvid also facilitates downloading your favorite videos from 100+ video streaming sites. However, if you aspire to become a creative & professional video creator expert in the field, Filmora from Wondershare stands as the best choice for all. Lastly, also note the tips discussed, and use Filmora today for a brighter career tomorrow.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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