Here are the steps on how to make a thumbnail for YouTube:
Choose the right size and format. YouTube thumbnails should be 1280 x 720 pixels in size, with a minimum width of 640 pixels. The file format should be JPG, PNG, or GIF.
Find a high-quality image or video. The image or video you use for your thumbnail should be clear, well-lit, and visually appealing. If you're using a still image, try to find one that captures the most important moment or aspect of your video.
Add text to your thumbnail. The text on your thumbnail should be clear, concise, and attention-grabbing. It should give viewers a good idea of what your video is about.
Use contrasting colors. The colors you use in your thumbnail should be contrasting and easy to see. This will help your thumbnail stand out from the crowd.
Keep it simple. Don't overload your thumbnail with too much text or images. A simple, well-designed thumbnail is more likely to get clicks.
Here are some additional tips for creating effective YouTube thumbnails:
Use eye-catching images or videos.
Make sure your text is clear and easy to read.
Use contrasting colors to make your thumbnail stand out.
Keep your thumbnail simple and uncluttered.
Use relevant keywords in your thumbnail text.
Test different thumbnails to see what works best.
Here are some free and paid tools you can use to create YouTube thumbnails:
Canva: A free online graphic design platform that offers a variety of templates and tools for creating thumbnails.
Adobe Spark: A free online design tool that allows you to create and customize thumbnails.
PicMonkey: A paid online photo editing tool that offers a variety of features for creating thumbnails.
Photoshop: A paid image editing software that can be used to create high-quality thumbnails.
I hope this helps!