Is 1280×720 required for YouTube?

YouTube accepts other 16:9 sizes, but 1280×720 is a common, crisp baseline that meets typical recommendations.

Are files uploaded to your backend?

No. Cropping and encoding happen locally via canvas.

You can export PNG, but YouTube may flatten transparency when displaying. JPEG fills transparent areas with white here.

No. You get only the cropped image file.

YouTube recommends a 16:9 thumbnail. This page exports a precise 1280×720 image after you set the crop.

Output size: 1280 × 720 px · 16:9 thumbnails for YouTube videos.

Thumbnails appear small in search results, so clear framing and readable text (if any) matter.

The crop overlay matches 1280×720 so what you see is what you upload.

Exports are generated on-device for privacy and speed.

Is 1280×720 required for YouTube?: YouTube accepts other 16:9 sizes, but 1280×720 is a common, crisp baseline that meets typical recommendations.
Are files uploaded to your backend?: No. Cropping and encoding happen locally via canvas.
Can I use PNG with transparency?: You can export PNG, but YouTube may flatten transparency when displaying. JPEG fills transparent areas with white here.
Does this add YouTube branding?: No. You get only the cropped image file.