Compress a YouTube thumbnail to under 2 MB.
YouTube takes up to 2 MB for a video thumbnail from the phone app and 50 MB from a computer. Choose Target 2 MB, compare the result, and download a lighter JPEG without sending the file anywhere.
Drop one still image here, or choose a JPG, PNG, or WebP.
No account required. Select one image at a time.
Choose an image, select a goal, and review the result before downloading.
HOW IT WORKS
How to compress a YouTube thumbnail under 2 MB.
- Choose the image.A JPG, PNG, or WebP from your device. It never leaves this browser.
- Pick Target 2 MB.The compressor finds the highest JPEG quality that fits. Set your own target or move the quality slider instead.
- Compare, then download.Check faces and words in the preview, and the new file size beside it. Keep JPG for YouTube.
The YouTube thumbnail size guide lists the size and file limits YouTube sets, and the size and quality checker tests a file against them. If the result looks soft, why a YouTube thumbnail looks blurry goes through the causes in the order to check them.
HOW TO USE IT
Reduce the file, not the decision quality.
Use the quality control for a predictable tradeoff, or set a target size and let the browser find a suitable JPEG quality.
QUESTIONS
YouTube thumbnail compressor questions.
No. Your image stays in this browser. WThumb does not upload or save it.
One still image at a time, as a JPG, PNG, or WebP file. Drop it on the tool or choose it from your device. No account required.
As of September 2026, YouTube's Add custom thumbnails page sets 2 MB for a video thumbnail uploaded from the mobile app, 10 MB for a podcast one, and 50 MB from a computer for videos, Shorts and podcasts.
No. The compressor keeps the width and height and lowers only the quality of the file. To change the pixel size, use the thumbnail resizer.
JPG. YouTube's help page names JPG and PNG, and WebP is not on its list, so keep WebP for other uses.
Compression removes image data. A smaller file can introduce visible artifacts, so review the result before publishing.
Studio opens separately and will ask you to select the image again.
Ready for a fresh direction?
Start with a reference you like and make a new thumbnail around your channel.
Make a new thumbnail in WThumbStudio opens separately and will ask you to select the image again.