1
Type Your Thumbnail Title
Enter video title or call-to-action text. Tool adds text box to canvas at readable size.
Thumbnail Studio
Thumbnail Text Generator | Add Text to Thumbnails Instantly
Generate bold readable text for video thumbnails. Choose from fonts optimized for mobile viewing. Add outlines, shadows, and effects that make text pop against any background.
Add Text to ThumbnailsExamples
Thumbnail Gallery
Real thumbnails created with Thumbnail Studio
How It Works
Create Thumbnails in 4 Simple Steps
2
Pick Font and Size
Choose from bold fonts designed for thumbnails. Adjust size until text reads clearly on mobile preview.
3
Add Effects for Readability
Apply outlines, drop shadows, or glow effects. Effects ensure text stays readable over complex backgrounds.
4
Export for YouTube and Twitch
Download thumbnail with text in HD, 2K, and 4K. Text stays sharp at all resolutions.
Best Practices
Tips for Making Great Thumbnails
Keep text under 5 words maximum. Short text is easier to read at thumbnail sizes. Longer text becomes unreadable blur on mobile.
Use maximum font size that fits. Bigger text grabs more attention in crowded YouTube feeds. Fill available space with large bold text.
Always add text outlines or shadows. Plain text without effects disappears against busy backgrounds. Outlines create separation ensuring readability.
Test text on mobile preview. Text looking good on desktop might fail on phones. Verify readability at actual YouTube mobile display size.
Choose high-contrast text colors. Yellow on black, white on dark colors, dark text on light backgrounds. Contrast makes text jump out.
Position text in upper two-thirds. YouTube interface elements sometimes cover bottom portions. Keep important text in upper safe zones.
Common Mistakes
What to Avoid
Using thin delicate fonts. Thin fonts become invisible at thumbnail sizes. Always choose thick bold fonts designed for small display.
Writing paragraphs of text. Nobody reads long text on thumbnails. Keep to 3-5 words maximum for readability and impact.
Skipping text effects. Plain text without outlines or shadows gets lost. Effects ensure text stays readable regardless of background complexity.
Not checking mobile view. Text perfect on desktop monitor fails on phones. Always verify mobile readability before finalizing.
Using text colors similar to background. Low contrast makes text invisible. Pick colors opposite to background for maximum visibility.
Positioning text where YouTube UI covers it. Subscribe buttons and video length badges overlap thumbnail corners. Keep text away from edges.
Benefits
Why Choose Thumbnail Studio?
Fonts Built for Thumbnails
Regular fonts get lost at thumbnail sizes. This tool provides bold thick fonts specifically designed to stay readable when thumbnails shrink.
Auto-Contrast Detection
Tool analyzes background colors and suggests text colors with maximum contrast. No guessing which text color will be readable.
Mobile-Optimized Sizing
Preview shows how text looks on phones. Adjust size until text passes mobile readability test before exporting.
One-Click Effects
Add outlines and shadows with single clicks. No learning complex layer styles or text effects in Photoshop.
Add Professional Text to Thumbnails
Generate bold readable text with one-click effects. Fonts optimized for mobile viewing. Test readability before exporting. Free to start.
Add Text to ThumbnailsNo credit card required • Free plan available
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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