AI YouTube thumbnail generator: free
Paste your YouTube video link: AI reads the title, looks at the thumbnail and makes a new one with text that invites the click. Without an account, one at a time; with your free account, three ideas to choose from.
Updated October 8, 2026
The title, the chosen image and your text go through OpenAI and Replicate to make the thumbnail. We don't keep the thumbnails: download them before you leave.
It reads the YouTube video's public data. By using it you agree to the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy.
Paste your video link
AI reads the title and the channel, looks at the thumbnail and makes a 16:9 one.
Comes out at 1280 × 720 px, as a JPG: 16:9, the ratio YouTube recommends.
How to make a YouTube thumbnail with AI
Paste the video link
From youtube.com or youtu.be, a Short too. The video has to be public.
Pick where the people come from
The current thumbnail or one of the three frames YouTube takes from the video: AI uses whoever appears there.
Download your favorite
It comes out at 1280 × 720 px. In YouTube Studio, upload it from the video's details.
Good to know
Few words
A two-to-five-word headline still reads when the thumbnail looks small on a phone.
The bottom-right corner
That's where YouTube shows the video length: keep text and faces out of it.
Show what happens in the video
YouTube's policies don't allow misleading thumbnails: the thumbnail has to tell the same story as the video.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes. Without an account, up to 3 thumbnails a day, one at a time. With a free Feedmakers account, up to 10 a day, each with 3 ideas to choose from. With any paid plan, no daily limit.
What size is the thumbnail?
1280 × 720 px, as a JPG. It's 16:9, the ratio YouTube recommends; YouTube asks for at least 640 px wide and, if you upload from your phone, up to 2 MB.
Where does AI get the people from?
From the image you pick: the video's current thumbnail or one of the three frames YouTube takes from the video. Use your own videos, or ones from people who gave you permission.
Can I choose the person who appears?
Yes: in “With a person”, upload a photo facing the camera, in good light and with the face large, and the thumbnail uses that face. Without a photo, the person comes from the video image. Use photos of yourself or of people who gave you permission.
What is a designed thumbnail?
One without people, built with big type, the video's product or object, a number or a comparison, in the style thumbnails use for its topic: cooking, cars, money, travel, tutorials and more.
Can I upload any thumbnail to YouTube?
To upload your own thumbnail, YouTube asks for a verified channel. Without that, it only lets you pick among the video's frames.
What about Instagram?
Feedmakers makes Instagram posts, carousels and stories in your brand's style from a single line. The free plan includes credits to create and publishes up to 20 posts a month.
More free tools
All tools- Image resizerGet your image to 4:5, 1:1 or 9:16 and download it at 1080 px.
- Carousel splitterCut a wide photo into slides that flow into each other.
- Story and reel safe zoneSee what Instagram covers on your stories and reels before posting.
- Caption previewSee where your caption cuts off, its characters and hashtags.
- Profile previewOrder your next posts and see how your profile grid will look.
- QR code generatorA QR code for your Instagram or menu, in your colors, ready to print.
Try it with your business
- Free, no card and no watermark
- 10 credits to start and 10 every month
- Publish and schedule up to 20 posts a month