What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?

YouTube recommends 1280×720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The minimum width is 640 pixels, and the file should be under 2MB. Vertex automatically generates thumbnails at the recommended resolution, so every download is ready to upload without resizing.

Can AI make YouTube thumbnails?

Yes. Vertex uses AI to generate professional YouTube thumbnails from a single text prompt. Describe your video topic, preferred style, or mood, and the AI thumbnail maker creates a click-optimized design in seconds — no templates or design experience required.

How do I make a YouTube thumbnail without Photoshop?

Open the Vertex editor, type a prompt describing what you want, and the AI generates a complete thumbnail on your canvas. From there you can adjust text, swap colors, add branding, and download as PNG, JPEG, or PDF. The entire process takes under a minute.

What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?

High-performing thumbnails use bold contrasting colors, large readable text, expressive faces or strong focal points, and a clear visual hierarchy. Vertex applies these proven patterns automatically, giving every generated thumbnail the best chance of driving clicks in search results and suggested feeds.

Can I customize the generated thumbnail?

Every thumbnail lands directly on the Vertex canvas where you have full control. Edit text overlays, adjust colors and contrast, reposition elements, add your channel branding, or combine multiple AI generations into one design before exporting.

Generate YouTube Thumbnails with One Prompt

Transform a single line of text into scroll-stopping YouTube thumbnails. Powered by AI, designed for creators who move fast and want results that drive clicks.

Our AI analyzes top-performing thumbnail patterns across millions of videos to generate designs optimized for maximum click-through rates.

10,000+

Thumbnails Generated

<10s

Average Generation Time

1280×720

YouTube-Optimized Output

youtube thumbnail generation promo image vertex

Start generating now with one simple prompt

Select one of our prompts for inspiration or enter your own prompt

Who It's For

YouTubers & Vloggers

Generate scroll-stopping thumbnails for every upload. Test multiple designs per video and find what drives the most clicks.

Marketing Teams

Create branded YouTube thumbnails at scale for product launches, campaigns, and ad creatives — no designer needed.

Podcast Channels

Turn episode topics into visual thumbnails that stand out in YouTube search and suggested feeds.

Agencies & Freelancers

Deliver professional YouTube thumbnail designs to clients in seconds instead of hours. Scale your output without scaling your team.

How It Works

1
Open Vertex Editor
Make a new Project from the Dashboard
2
Open AI Chat Interface
Find it in the left sidebar, the star icon
3
Type the Prompt and Press Enter
No need to go extra. Just describe what you want.
4
Add to Canvas
Refine what you want
5
Download as PNG, JPEG, or PDF
Find in the top right corner

Or just use our templates

Frequently Asked Questions

You can start creating YouTube thumbnails for free with a Vertex account. The free plan includes access to the AI generator, the full editor, and downloadable exports. Upgrade to Pro for higher generation limits and priority processing.

Ready to boost your YouTube CTR?

Create professional YouTube thumbnails in seconds using a single prompt. Start free today.