How to make a YouTube thumbnail with Ideogram (free)

Ideogram is an AI image tool that you can use for free, and it's known for putting readable words into images. That's the hard part of most thumbnails. We have it make the scene and the words, then add our real photo on top. If you'd rather use another AI tool, see [How to make a YouTube thumbnail with ChatGPT](/blog/how-to-make-a-youtube-thumbnail-with-chatgpt), [with Gemini](/blog/how-to-make-a-youtube-thumbnail-with-gemini), or [with Microsoft Designer](/blog/how-to-make-a-youtube-thumbnail-with-microsoft-designer).

Is it free?

Yes, within limits. Ideogram's [pricing page](https://ideogram.ai/pricing) says: "Eligible free accounts receive weekly credits when signing in with Google, Apple, or Microsoft; the amount may vary." Ideogram doesn't promise a set number, so we write good prompts up front instead of regenerating over and over.

Ideogram also says you're free to use your images "for any purpose, including commercial use." The details are in its Terms of Service.

Before you start: free images are public

On the free plan, everything you make is public. Ideogram says that by default, all images are published to its community, and that paid plans can keep new images private. So if your video isn't out yet, don't put its title or big reveal into a free Ideogram image. Make the scene now and add the secret words later in an editor.

Step 1: Pick 16:9

Ideogram's docs say aspect ratio sets the shape of the image, and they list 16:9 as a common shape for YouTube thumbnails. Choose 16:9 before you generate. YouTube asks for a 16:9 thumbnail on regular videos.

Step 2: Put your words in quotes

Write the exact words you want in quotes, and keep it to a few words. Then describe the style, the colors, and where the words should go. Here's a prompt we'd start with: "A dramatic desert road at sunset, the words 'LOST FOR 3 DAYS' in huge bold white letters on the left, empty space on the right, no people."

Ideogram says it gets 95% text accuracy, so the words read correctly "the vast majority of the time." That's Ideogram's claim. In our experience, short, bold phrases come out best, so check every letter before you use it.

Step 3: Decide on Magic Prompt

Magic Prompt rewrites your prompt to add more detail and variety. Ideogram says it "Enhances your prompt to improve image variety and richness," and it starts on. That's handy when you want ideas. Turn it off when your thumbnail words must stay exactly as you typed them.

Step 4: Leave your face out of it

This part is our advice. We don't ask Ideogram to draw us, since an AI image tool can make a face that no longer looks like you. Let Ideogram make the scene only, with open space for you. Then add a real photo of yourself in an editor like [Canva](/blog/how-to-make-a-youtube-thumbnail-in-canva) or [Photopea](/blog/how-to-make-a-youtube-thumbnail-in-photopea).

Step 5: Download and resize it

Download the image you like. On the free plan, Ideogram's docs say JPEG at original size is free. YouTube recommends 3840 x 2160 pixels for video thumbnails, with a minimum width of 640 pixels, so we resize to that with our guide to [resizing a YouTube thumbnail](/blog/how-to-resize-youtube-thumbnail). The full spec is in our [YouTube thumbnail size guide](/blog/youtube-thumbnail-size).

Step 6: Check it at phone size

Shrink it down to about the size it shows in a phone feed. If you can't read the words or see your face, make the text bigger and cut the clutter. Then upload it in YouTube Studio.

One last check

Once you like it, run it through [Thumbly Score](/blog/how-to-use-thumbly-score) for a quick second opinion before you upload.