How to change a YouTube thumbnail (desktop Studio)

You change a long-form thumbnail in YouTube Studio on a computer. Same path if the video is still a draft or it has been live for years.

This is the desktop path. For the phone, use [how to change a YouTube thumbnail on mobile](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail-on-mobile). For Shorts, use [how to change a YouTube Shorts thumbnail](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-shorts-thumbnail). For pixels, use the [YouTube thumbnail size guide](/blog/youtube-thumbnail-size). For what YouTube paints over, use [YouTube thumbnail safe zones](/blog/youtube-thumbnail-safe-zones). After it is live, [check thumbnail CTR](/blog/how-to-check-youtube-thumbnail-ctr) on Reach.

The clicks

The taps come from [Add custom thumbnails on YouTube](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72431). Trust the label on your screen if Studio moved a word.

Sign in to [YouTube Studio](https://studio.youtube.com).

In the left menu, select **Content**.

Click the video title or thumbnail. That opens **Details**.

Below **Thumbnail**, click **Upload file**. Pick a JPG or PNG from your computer. You can also drag and drop.

Click **SAVE** in the top right.

You can pick one of YouTube's auto frames instead, or **Get suggestions**. This post is the custom upload.

This is a swap, not a [Test & Compare](/blog/youtube-studio-thumbnail-ab-testing) run. If you only need a new image on the video, Upload file and SAVE is enough.

After it is already published

Same path. Content, open the video, Upload file, SAVE.

Then check the Content wall. The new image should sit on that row. Open the watch page too. Help says it may take time to show everywhere. If it still looks old, wait a few minutes and refresh.

Views and comments stay. You can change the thumbnail as many times as you want.

If Upload file is missing

You are not verified yet. Custom thumbnails stay locked until YouTube has a phone number on the channel.

Open [youtube.com/verify](https://www.youtube.com/verify) on the same account. Finish the steps. Come back to Details and try Upload file again.

If you only see auto frames, that is the verify wall. Do not hunt for a hidden menu.

If the upload fails

Desktop allows **50MB**. The Studio app on a phone caps a thumbnail at **2MB**. That split lives in the [mobile post](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail-on-mobile). Resolution and 16:9 live in the [size guide](/blog/youtube-thumbnail-size).

If Studio says you hit the daily custom thumbnail limit, wait 24 hours. Help documents that cap.

Keep faces and text out of the bottom-right while you are in there. The duration badge still lands there. That is the [safe zones](/blog/youtube-thumbnail-safe-zones) post.

Need a 16:9 file that already fits? [Thumbly's YouTube thumbnail generator](/youtube-thumbnail-generator) exports one you can upload from Details.

Score it before you settle

Once the file is on the video, run it through [Thumbly Score](/blog/how-to-use-thumbly-score) if you want a second look before you call it done. This post is the clicks.

FAQ

**How do I change it on desktop?** Studio → Content → click the video → **Upload file** under Thumbnail → **SAVE**.

**After it is live?** Same path. Then check the Content wall and the watch page.

**No Upload file?** Verify at [youtube.com/verify](https://www.youtube.com/verify).

**Is this for Shorts?** No. Use the [Shorts-change guide](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-shorts-thumbnail).

**On my phone?** Use the [mobile guide](/blog/how-to-change-youtube-thumbnail-on-mobile).