How to Change a YouTube Shorts Thumbnail
Changing the thumbnail of a Short is more limited than for long videos. This guide covers what YouTube lets you do and why you should save the current thumbnail before you change it.
What YouTube allows
YouTube's help page says custom thumbnails for Shorts are set in YouTube Studio on a computer. On a phone the options are narrower and change between app versions, so open the Short's edit screen and see what your version offers. Because this is YouTube's own feature, the exact steps can move around; the help page is the reference.
Save the current thumbnail first
Once you replace a thumbnail you cannot get the old one back from YouTube. If you may want it later, paste the Short's link into the click here and download the largest size before you change anything. It takes a few seconds and gives you a clean file named after the video.
Choosing a good image
- Use a frame where the subject is clear even at a very small size.
- Keep important elements away from the edges, because the preview is cropped differently in different places.
- Avoid tiny text. A Short is mostly seen on a phone.
Once you have the new thumbnail live, the same downloader will show the new file, which makes it easy to compare before and after.
When the option is missing
If you cannot find a way to change the thumbnail of a Short, the reason is usually the app version, the device or the way the Short was uploaded. YouTube's YouTube's own help page on thumbnails describes what is currently available, and it is worth reading it before assuming that something is broken.
Why people change a Short's thumbnail
A Short's preview frame is often chosen automatically. If it catches the subject mid-blink or shows a blurry transition, the Short looks worse on a channel page, in search results and in the Shorts shelf. Changing it is a quick way to improve how the video appears wherever it is listed.
Before and after
Keep both versions. Download the current thumbnail with the tool, then publish the new one and download that as well. Putting the two side by side shows which image reads better at a small size, and you will have a record of what you tried.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the thumbnail of a Short after uploading?
YouTube's help page describes setting a custom Shorts thumbnail in YouTube Studio on a computer. Options in the mobile app are narrower and depend on the app version.
Will changing the thumbnail affect my views?
A clearer image can change how often people tap the Short, but results vary and nothing is guaranteed.
Can I get my old thumbnail back after changing it?
Not from YouTube. Save the current one with the downloader first if you may want it again.
Does ThumbGrab change thumbnails?
No. It only downloads the thumbnails that already exist on public videos.
What makes a good Shorts thumbnail?
A clear subject, little text and good contrast. Check it at phone size before you decide.
Keep reading
- Next guide: Do YouTube Shorts have a thumbnail
- The tool for this topic: YouTube Shorts thumbnail downloader
- Back to the click here