YouTube video size & aspect ratio (16:9)
If you searched what aspect ratio is YouTube or YouTube video aspect ratio: standard YouTube videos use 16:9. Common export sizes are 1920×1080 (1080p) and 1280×720 (720p).
| Use | Size (px) | Ratio | Resize / guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard video (1080p) | 1920×1080 | 16:9 | Resize video to 1920×1080 → |
| Standard video (720p) | 1280×720 | 16:9 | Resize video to 1280×720 → · Thumbnail size 1280×720 |
| Shorts / vertical video | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | Resize Shorts to 1080×1920 → · YouTube Shorts size guide |
YouTube thumbnail vs video size
Open the thumbnail guide when you need the click image, so you export a 1280×720 thumbnail instead of reusing a full video frame.
YouTube size in Canva
Use 1920×1080 for videos and 1280×720 for thumbnails in Canva, so the design starts on the right YouTube canvas and exports without manual resizing later.
FAQ
What aspect ratio is YouTube?
Standard YouTube videos are usually 16:9. Shorts are typically 9:16.
YouTube video aspect ratio?
Most YouTube uploads use 16:9. For Shorts, use 9:16.
What is the YouTube video size?
Common 16:9 sizes are 1920×1080 (1080p) and 1280×720 (720p). For Shorts (9:16), use 1080×1920.
Do you upload my images?
No. Processing happens locally in your browser. Your files are not uploaded.
What size should I use?
Use 1920x1080 (16:9).
Which export format should I use?
JPG for photos, PNG for text/logos or transparency, WebP for smaller files (if supported).
Crop vs Pad — what is the difference?
Crop fills the target size (may cut edges). Pad fits the whole image and adds background/space.
How do I protect text and logos?
Keep important content centered and avoid placing critical text at the edges.
Can I batch resize?
Yes. Use the Batch Resizer to apply the same size to many images.
Related links
Quick tips
- Standard YouTube videos are 16:9 (e.g., 1920×1080 or 1280×720).
- Shorts are usually 9:16 (1080×1920).
- Thumbnails are 1280×720 and should be under 2MB.