Extract and analyze text from YouTube thumbnails. See what text top creators use, assess readability at small sizes, and get recommendations for better thumbnail text.
Text on thumbnails can make or break your click-through rate.
Key elements that make thumbnail text work.
Text must remain readable even at the smallest thumbnail sizes
Follow these guidelines for maximum impact.
Common mistakes to avoid and techniques to embrace.
For a standard 1280x720 thumbnail, text should be at least 80-120px in height for the main message. Smaller supporting text should be at least 50-60px. Remember: if you can't read it at thumbnail size, your viewers can't either. Always design for the smallest viewing context.
Paste a YouTube video URL to analyze its thumbnail, or upload any thumbnail image directly from your computer.
Our tool analyzes the thumbnail using OCR technology to detect and extract all visible text from the image.
View extracted text, word count, readability scores, and personalized recommendations for improvement.
Thumbnail text helps communicate the video's value proposition quickly. Well-designed text can increase click-through rates by 20-40%. Text should be readable at small sizes since most viewers see thumbnails on mobile devices where they appear as tiny images in search results and suggested videos.
The ideal thumbnail has 3-6 words maximum. Fewer words mean larger text that's more readable on mobile. Focus on one key message or emotion rather than trying to describe the entire video. Some of the most successful thumbnails use just 2-3 impactful words.
Text should take up at least 20-30% of the thumbnail height to be readable. For a 1280x720 thumbnail, main text should be 80-120px tall. Use bold, sans-serif fonts with high contrast against the background. Avoid thin or decorative fonts that become illegible at small sizes.
Not necessarily. Some successful thumbnails use facial expressions and imagery alone - this works especially well for vlogs and personality-driven content. However, text can help clarify the video's topic and differentiate it from similar content. Test both approaches with your audience to see what drives more clicks.
The most effective thumbnail fonts are bold, sans-serif fonts that remain readable at small sizes. Popular choices include Impact, Bebas Neue, Montserrat Bold, Oswald, Anton, and Roboto Bold. Avoid script fonts, thin weights, or fonts with complex details that disappear when scaled down.
Several techniques help text stand out: 1) Add a colored background box behind text, 2) Use drop shadows or outer strokes, 3) Place text on solid color areas of your image, 4) Use contrasting colors (dark text on light, light text on dark), 5) Add a subtle gradient behind text areas.
High-contrast combinations work best: white text with black outline is universally readable, yellow/gold pops against dark backgrounds, red creates urgency but use sparingly. Avoid similar hues between text and background. The YouTube red (#FF0000) is overused, so consider alternatives like orange or blue for differentiation.
Common effective positions: Right side (leaves room for faces on left), Top or bottom thirds (follows rule of thirds), Center (for maximum impact). Avoid placing text: over faces, in the bottom-right corner (YouTube's duration badge goes there), or on busy background areas.
No - thumbnail text should complement, not duplicate your title. Viewers see both simultaneously, so repeating the same words wastes valuable space. Instead, use thumbnail text to add intrigue, highlight a different angle, or create emotional impact while the title provides context.
Create your thumbnail at full size (1280x720), then resize it to 168x94 pixels (mobile size) and 100x56 pixels (smallest recommended). If you can still read the text clearly at these sizes, it will work. You can also use our preview tool to see how it appears in YouTube's actual interface.
Power words trigger emotional responses: Curiosity - SECRET, TRUTH, FINALLY, REVEALED; Urgency - NOW, TODAY, DON'T, STOP; Value - FREE, EASY, FAST, BEST; Negative - WORST, MISTAKE, NEVER, WRONG. Use sparingly to avoid clickbait perception.
Emojis can work but have limitations: they render differently across devices, may not match your brand style, and can appear unprofessional in some niches. If using emojis, make them large and central to the design. Many successful creators prefer custom graphics or icons that match their visual brand instead.
Download thumbnails, analyze CTR, and preview your designs.