YouTube Community Post Image Size: Square, Feed and Thumbnail Reuse Checks
YouTube Community posts can use images, but there is not one universal official pixel size for every post surface. Use square or feed-friendly ratios, keep text readable, and check the exported file before posting.
Last checked: July 7, 2026. Based on YouTube Help Community post guidance.
Safe ratio
1:1 square
Reusable ratio
16:9
Mobile-first
4:5 portrait
Main check
Readability
What size should a YouTube Community post image be?
Use a clean square image when you want the safest general-purpose Community post visual. YouTube Community surfaces can vary, so the practical goal is not one magic pixel size; it is a clear ratio, readable text, and a source file that is not tiny or over-compressed.
If you are reusing a video thumbnail, remember that a 16:9 thumbnail is designed for video placements. It can work in a Community post, but short text, strong contrast, and a centered subject matter more than exact canvas size.
Community post image ratio table
| Ratio | Best use | Check before posting |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 square | Safe feed-first option | Use for announcements, polls with context, and simple channel updates. |
| 4:5 portrait | Tall feed image | Useful when a mobile-first visual needs more height without becoming a Shorts cover. |
| 16:9 landscape | Video-adjacent visual | Useful when reusing a thumbnail-style announcement image. |
| Avoid tiny text | Readability rule | Community posts are scanned quickly, especially on mobile feeds. |
Pre-post checklist
- Check the exported image width and height.
- Preview the image at a small mobile feed size.
- Use short text or no text in the image.
- Keep the subject centered enough for feed crops.
- Avoid reposting a cluttered video thumbnail without editing.
- Put long context in the Community post text.
YouTube Community post image FAQ
What size should a YouTube Community post image be?
YouTube does not publish one fixed pixel size for all Community post images. Use a clear square or feed-friendly image, check the file dimensions before posting, and keep text readable on mobile.
Is 1:1 a good YouTube Community post image ratio?
Yes. A 1:1 square image is a practical safe choice for many Community posts because it is easy to preview, crop, and reuse across feeds.
Can I reuse a YouTube thumbnail as a Community post image?
You can reuse a thumbnail-style 16:9 image, but check the text size and composition. A feed post may display differently from a video thumbnail placement.
Should Community post images include text?
Use short text only when it stays readable at mobile feed size. Put long explanations in the post text instead of the image.