How to change a YouTube Shorts thumbnail in YouTube Studio

Yes, you can set (and later change) a custom thumbnail on a YouTube Short. Use **9:16**, and YouTube recommends **2160 × 3840**. Below: the steps in YouTube Studio, what the phone app can and can't do, frame vs custom upload, and how to fix a cover that looks cropped.

Full size specs, and why a long-form 16:9 image fights you here, live in the [YouTube Shorts thumbnail size guide](/blog/youtube-shorts-thumbnail-size).

How to change a Shorts thumbnail in YouTube Studio (desktop)

Go to [YouTube Studio](https://studio.youtube.com) and sign in.

Open **Content**, then filter to **Shorts** (or find the Short in your list).

Click the Short's title or thumbnail to open details.

Under **Thumbnail**, choose one of YouTube's auto frames **or** click **Upload file** and pick a **9:16** image (YouTube recommends **2160 × 3840**).

Click **Save**.

You'll need a **verified** channel to upload custom thumbnails (same rule as long-form). If you only see frame picks and no upload button, verify your phone number under channel settings, then reload Studio.

What about the phone app?

You can't add a custom Shorts thumbnail from your phone. YouTube Help says: "Custom thumbnails for Shorts are currently only available to add in YouTube Studio on a computer."

When you upload a Short in the YouTube app, you may be able to choose a frame from the video as its cover. That only picks a still from the Short itself. It isn't a custom thumbnail, and app labels move around between versions.

If you want a custom image, open YouTube Studio on a computer and follow the steps above.

Frame pick vs custom upload

| Option | Best when |

|---|---|

| **Auto frame** | A single clear moment in the Short already sells the click (face, product, punchline). |

| **Custom upload** | You need text, branding, or a composed shot that never appears as a clean frame in the video. |

Frames are fast. Custom covers win when the best "thumbnail moment" isn't a literal frame. That's common for text hooks, before and after layouts, or anything that needs a safer crop for the Shorts shelf.

Need a vertical export without wrestling Canva? [Thumbly's Shorts thumbnail maker](/youtube-shorts-thumbnail-maker) outputs **1080 × 1920**. Or crop an existing image with the [thumbnail resizer](/tools/youtube-thumbnail-resizer) (Shorts preset).

Fix a cropped or letterboxed Shorts thumbnail

If your Short looks fine in the swipe feed but weird on your **channel's Shorts tab** or in search:

You probably uploaded a **16:9** long-form thumbnail.

Re-export at **9:16**, ideally **2160 × 3840**.

Keep faces and text in the **upper-to-middle** area. The bottom of the Shorts UI is crowded with title, handle, and buttons.

Save again in Studio. Changes can take a few minutes to show everywhere.

Why Shorts thumbnails still matter

Most Shorts views come from the swipe feed, where the video itself does the selling. The custom thumbnail still earns its keep on your **channel page** and in **search**, where people browse a grid of covers. A consistent set of vertical thumbs makes the channel look intentional and keeps viewers clicking into the next Short.

FAQ

**Can you change a Shorts thumbnail?** Yes, in YouTube Studio on a computer, under the Short's details. Custom thumbnails can't be added in the phone app.

**What size?** YouTube recommends 2160 × 3840 (9:16), at least 640 pixels high. Details in the [size guide](/blog/youtube-shorts-thumbnail-size).

**Upload button missing?** Verify your channel, then try again.

**Can I change it after publishing?** Yes. Edit, update the thumbnail, save.

**Looks cropped?** You used a horizontal image. Switch to a vertical 9:16 cover, ideally 2160 × 3840.