Make YouTube thumbnails for free in minutes.

Create attention-grabbing YouTube thumbnails for your channel in just a few taps. Get started with free templates you can customize to make a click-worthy thumbnail in Adobe Express.

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YouTube thumbnails
Blank Template
Icon: blank
Start from scratch
16:9
Tasks
youtube-thumbnail
Topics
Mini
yes

Collection ID

(To pull in manually curated templates if needed)

Orientation


(Horizontal/Vertical)

Horizontal

Width


(Full, Std, sixcols)

full

Limit


(number of templates to load each pagination. Min. 5)

23

Sort

Most Viewed

Rare & Original

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Oldest to Newest

Newest to Oldest
Locales
EN

Premium


(true, false, all) true or false will limit to premium only or free only.

false
Make your YouTube thumbnail for free on the Adobe Express app.
https://adobesparkpost.app.link/COaFJORi7pb
Adobe Express enables you to quickly and easily make standout content from thousands of beautiful templates on mobile and web. No design skills needed and it’s FREE to get started.

Creating custom YouTube thumbnails is easy with Adobe Express.

A striking thumbnail is a powerful tool for making your video stand out from all the others within search results. To grab attention, use the Adobe Express online YouTube thumbnail maker to create a Brand Kit that allows you to apply your logo, brand color schemes, and fonts across all your videos so that they’re instantly recognizable to loyal subscribers and new viewers. Be you with Adobe Express and tell your story in a visual way with endless customization options at your side. No experience required.

Blank Template
Icon: blank
Start from scratch
16:9
Tasks
youtube-thumbnail
Topics

Collection ID

(To pull in manually curated templates if needed)

Orientation


(Horizontal/Vertical)

Vertical

Width


(Full, Std, sixcols)

sixcols

Limit


(number of templates to load each pagination. Min. 5)

23

Sort

Most Viewed

Rare & Original

Newest to Oldest

Oldest to Newest

Newest to Oldest
Locales
EN

Premium


(true, false, all) true or false will limit to premium only or free only.

false

How to make YouTube thumbnails.

Customize your YouTube thumbnail design.

There are endless possibilities to customize your YouTube thumbnail design. For example, when you choose a photo as your background on the free thumbnail creator, you can zoom in or out and change its color with an assortment of filters and palettes. As you move through the steps provided by the YouTube thumbnail template, craft your thumbnail your way to make it unique and special.

YouTube thumbnail for a video about fashion tips, overlapped by graphic elements and icons.
Red YouTube thumbnail for a video about a pasta recipe, overlapped by graphic elements and icons.

Build your audience with our thumbnail creator.

With Adobe Express, you don’t need an idea in place before beginning the design process. Even if you don’t know exactly how you want your YouTube thumbnail to look, you’ll have tons of free templates to choose from to get you inspired. Search by topic, niche, or aesthetic to see what other designers have created. Or you can start from a blank canvas and drag and drop icons, graphics, text, and so much more to your project until you have a YouTube thumbnail design that resonates with you and your channel.

Frequently asked questions.

What are ways to make a standout YouTube thumbnail?
Use thumbnails to instantly communicate the theme of your video to your viewers. Feature big, bold, and easy to read typography that captures the premise. Add high-quality images to your design, potentially including a photo of yourself or the video’s subject.
Should I include my picture on my thumbnail?
If the video is about you or features you, then definitely. Upload images right from your device to use in your thumbnail. Use our remove background tool to create a cutout of your headshot and make a YouTube thumbnail-style design. You can also use a still frame from your video or a stock image if you feel that it’s a better fit.
What size should I make my thumbnail?
YouTube thumbnails are 1280px by 720px. Get started with one of our presized thumbnail templates, or create a design from scratch and enter in your desired size.
Can I get Adobe Express for free? If so, what’s included?
Yes, Adobe Express has a free plan that includes core features like photo editing tools and effects and thousands of free templates. Learn more about our plans and pricing.
Can I create my own YouTube thumbnail template?
Any new or existing project can be turned into a shareable template. To turn your YouTube thumbnail into a template, click on the three-dot menu at the left of the Download button and follow the steps to turn your design into a template.