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YouTube Shorts Cover Maker

A vertical cover with a title that reads at thumbnail size. Use a frame from the Short or any photo; the bright area shows what stays visible in the Shorts shelf and the channel grid.

✓ No upload, 100% private✓ No sign-up✓ Works on phone & desktop
1 Add your cover photo
Drop a photo or video frame
A still from your Reel or any photo. It becomes a 1080 × 1920 cover.
JPG · PNG · WebP · HEIC. Your photo stays on your device.

Missing an option? Suggest an improvement or ask for a new tool.

How to make a Shorts cover

  1. Drop a photo or a frame (the Video to Shorts and Video Frame Grabber pages send one here)
  2. Type a short title and pick a style
  3. Keep the title in the bright middle: that part shows in the grid
  4. Download the 1080 × 1920 cover and set it in YouTube Studio → Shorts → Thumbnail

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about the shorts cover maker tool.

What size is a Shorts thumbnail?

1080 × 1920 (9:16). YouTube crops it to a 3:4-ish tile in the channel grid, so keep the title in the middle.

Can I upload a custom Shorts thumbnail?

Yes, in YouTube Studio on desktop, or by choosing a frame in the app; the downloaded cover works for both.

More free image tools

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