What is the best size for a YouTube thumbnail?

YouTube recommends 1280x720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio) with a minimum width of 640 pixels. Files should be under 2MB in JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG format. Our tool exports at exactly 1280x720 by default.

Is this YouTube thumbnail maker really free?

Yes, KJSynthora's thumbnail maker is completely free with no watermarks, no signup required, and unlimited downloads. All processing happens in your browser.

What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?

A high-CTR thumbnail uses: a high-contrast face or emotion, bold readable text (under 5 words), bright contrasting colors (red/yellow/white), clear subject in the left 2/3, and a compelling visual promise. Our CTR Score meter guides you.

Can I use custom fonts in the thumbnail?

Yes! Our tool includes 20+ fonts including Impact, Bebas Neue, Anton, Montserrat, Orbitron, and more — all optimized for YouTube thumbnail readability.

Can I save my thumbnail project and continue later?

Yes, click Save Project to download a JSON file with your complete design. Click Load Project to restore it anytime in the future.

YouTube Thumbnail Maker Free Online — Create Custom Thumbnails

Template Gallery (click to apply)

Upload Image

📁

Click or drag image here

Shapes

Stickers & Emojis

Quick Add

Content

Title

Sub Text

Text Color

Font Size: 72px

Letter Spacing: 0

Stroke Width: 3

Stroke Color

Shadow Color

Line Height: 1.0

Align

Font Family

Text Effects

Solid Colors

Gradient Presets

Custom BG Color

Overlay: 0%

Overlay Color

Style Presets

Effects

Image Filters

Brightness0

Contrast0

Saturation0

Blur0

Opacity100%

Blend Mode

AI Title Generator

Enter your video topic and get viral YouTube titles powered by Groq AI (free).

CTR Tips from AI

Quick Phrases

Undo History

Saved Snapshots

Preview:

YT Standard

YT Search

Shorts

Mobile

A/B Compare

🎯 CTR Score

2.0

/ 10 — Poor

Add image + text + style to boost CTR

🧠 AI Tips

🔧 Properties

Select an object

📂 Layers

⌨ Shortcuts

Ctrl+ZUndo

Ctrl+DDuplicate

Ctrl+CCopy

Ctrl+VPaste

DelDelete

Ctrl+ASelect All

± / scrollZoom

ArrowsNudge

Ctrl+SSave

Everything You Need to Create Viral YouTube Thumbnails

KJSynthora's thumbnail maker combines professional design tools with AI-powered insights to help you create thumbnails that actually get clicked.

📐

20+ Pro Templates

Start from gaming, finance, tech, reaction, and educational thumbnail templates — all optimized for high CTR based on top YouTube channels.

🤖

AI Title Generator

Enter your video topic and get 5 viral-style YouTube titles powered by Groq Llama AI. One click to add directly to your thumbnail.

💡

Text Effects

Neon glow, gradient, outline, 3D shadow, and glitch text effects. 20+ fonts including Impact, Bebas Neue, Orbitron, and more.

📊

CTR Score Meter

Real-time CTR (Click-Through Rate) score from 0–10 based on your thumbnail's image, text, contrast, and composition quality.

🎨

Background Styles

Gaming, finance, tech, horror, and 4 more category-specific gradient styles. Custom gradients and solid colors with overlay controls.

📱

Live Preview Strip

See your thumbnail exactly as it appears on YouTube standard, search results, Shorts, and mobile — simultaneously while you design.

⚡

Image Filters

Brightness, contrast, saturation, blur, and blend modes applied directly to uploaded images. Professional photo editing in the browser.

💾

Save / Load Projects

Save your complete design as a JSON file and reload it anytime. Never lose your work. Export as PNG, JPG, or WebP.

🔒

100% Private

Everything runs in your browser using Fabric.js. Your images and designs never leave your device — zero server uploads, ever.

📝 Thumbnail Guides

Learn to Make Thumbnails That Get More Clicks

❓ FAQ

Everything You Need to Create Viral YouTube Thumbnails

20+ Pro Templates

AI Title Generator

Text Effects

CTR Score Meter

Background Styles

Live Preview Strip

Image Filters

Save / Load Projects

100% Private

Learn to Make Thumbnails That Get More Clicks

Frequently Asked Questions

🎬 Ready to Make Viral Thumbnails?

🔑 Groq API Key (Free)

Everything You Need to Create Viral YouTube Thumbnails

20+ Pro Templates

AI Title Generator

Text Effects

CTR Score Meter

Background Styles

Live Preview Strip

Image Filters

Save / Load Projects

100% Private

Learn to Make Thumbnails That Get More Clicks

Frequently Asked Questions

🎬 Ready to Make Viral Thumbnails?