Recommended settings
- Model
- Photo
- Scale
- 2× (Free, on your device)
- Denoise
- 35 of 100
- Output format
- JPG
The Photo model is tuned for camera images: skin, foliage, fabric and natural noise.
Tips
- 2× takes a 640 × 360 grab to exactly 1280 × 720.
- Use Scanned text if the thumbnail is mostly lettering.
- Keep it under 2 MB with JPG output.
Worked example
The target for YouTube thumbnails is 1,280 × 720 pixels. This table shows the smallest scale that reaches it from three common source sizes, and what 2× gives each one. 4× is the largest scale, so a target slightly beyond it is finished with the resize tool, up to 5× in total.
| Your image | Scale needed | Output at 2× | 2× reaches target? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 × 600 | 2× | 1,600 × 1,200 | Yes, then resize |
| 1,280 × 960 | Already big enough | 2,560 × 1,920 | Yes, then resize |
| 2,016 × 1,512 | Already big enough | 4,032 × 3,024 | Yes, then resize |
How to upscale images for YouTube thumbnails
- Open the upscaler and add your images, or a whole folder.
- Choose the Photo model and 2×.
- Set denoise to about 35.
- Export JPG and download the batch.
Questions
What scale should I use for YouTube thumbnails?
Work back from the target of 1,280 × 720: divide it by your image size and round up to 2× or 4×. If 4× is a little short, finish with the resize tool; past 5× in total, start from a bigger original. For most YouTubers reusing screenshots and old art, 2× is the usual answer.
Which model is best for YouTube thumbnails?
Photo. The Photo model is tuned for camera images: skin, foliage, fabric and natural noise.
Is 2× free?
2× is free (5 images a day) and runs on your device, so nothing uploads.
Do my images upload?
No. At 2× the model runs in your browser, so the files stay on your device.
What size do images for YouTube thumbnails need to be?
1,280 × 720 pixels is the reference size used on this page. Upscale to at least that, then resize down to the exact size.
Scales compared
| Scale | Runs | Plan | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2× | On your device | Free | Recommended |
| 4× | On your device | Pro |