Practical browser tool guides

How to make a thumbnail with a photo and text

A thumbnail needs to communicate its subject and title even on a small screen. Set the canvas dimensions first, arrange a photo and a short caption, then zoom out to check the result.

Open thumbnail editor

Step-by-step

  1. 01

    Choose the canvas dimensions

    Start from a home-page preset such as 1280×720 for a video thumbnail or 1200×675 for a blog image, or enter a custom size. These are starting presets rather than universal platform requirements; check your destination’s current upload conditions.

  2. 02

    Position the photo and leave space for words

    Import the picture using Image and compare Show all with Fill canvas. Placing the subject to one side can leave room for a title. Check whether enlarging a small source makes it look blurry.

  3. 03

    Add a concise title and optional subtitle

    Use Add title and Add subtitle in Text. For example, try Organize photos in 3 steps with Size, file weight and names below it. Adjust color, bold, outline or a background box without covering the subject with decoration.

  4. 04

    Check at a small size and export

    Zoom out to see whether the title is readable, then use Format & size export. Check the download’s dimensions and file size and inspect cropping in the destination upload preview. If the file is too large, retain the original and use Compress Images on a copy.

Things to know

  • When canvas and photo aspect ratios differ, Fill canvas may crop the edges. Keep faces, dates and product names away from the margins.
  • Compare PNG when transparency matters and JPG for regular photos. Actual size and sharpness depend on image content and export settings.
  • The sample text is illustrative, with no measured claim about click-through rates or views. Check that you have permission to publish your photos and logos.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change the thumbnail dimensions later?

Yes. Change the canvas dimensions in Size, then check photo cropping and text placement again if the aspect ratio changes.

Can I reuse the same image on a video site and a blog?

Yes, if it satisfies each destination’s dimensions, aspect ratio and file-size conditions. Preview the actual upload because display cropping may differ.

Can I use the finished image on another device?

You can transfer the downloaded JPG, PNG or WebP as a regular image file. The browser’s editable recent project does not automatically synchronize between devices.