All You Need to Know About TikTok Video Thumbnails

TikTok moves fast - no, really, we mean fast - with users deciding on which videos to watch within split seconds. With attention spans this fleeting, mega-eye-catching TikTok video thumbnails should be one of your top priorities!

Your TikTok thumbnail is the first impression of each of your TikTok videos, drawing viewers in to watch, comment, and share. Think of them as mini cover photos that rep your content - and then think about capturing the vibe and intent of your TikTok video in a single image. 

With countless videos (around 35 million!) posted on TikTok every day, well-crafted thumbnails can dramatically impact click-through rates for your TikTok videos, attracting potential viewers who are scrolling through their feed. 

A unique and appealing thumbnail can set your content apart, increasing the likelihood that viewers will choose your video over others - and maybe even leading them to check out your content elsewhere on the internet, from YouTube and Instagram to your Fourthwall website and merch store.

All About TikTok Thumbnails

The thumbnail is a static image of your video that shows on the TikTok app before your video starts playing, and should be designed to capture your viewers’ attention. Typically, TikTok thumbnails are displayed in a 9:16 aspect ratio, with a recommended size of 1080 x 1920 pixels. They can either be a still frame from your TikTok video, or a custom-designed image - but either way, the visual should be a great one that establishes the context of your video and quickly encourages users to tap and watch.

Your TikTok thumbnails also contribute to your overall branding and consistency on the platform. By maintaining a cohesive style across your thumbnails, you can create a recognizable identity that viewers will associate with your content. This consistency helps build a loyal audience, draws in new viewers, and solidifies your unique presence on TikTok.

Adding a TikTok Thumbnail in 6 Steps

Creating an engaging TikTok thumbnail is a pretty straightforward process, with plenty of room to exercise your creativity. Here’s how you do it:

1. Create Your Thumbnail

Begin by designing your thumbnail image! Graphic design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark can make this an even faster process, as they offer templates specifically for TikTok thumbnails. Consider the theme of your video and snag a great screengrab from it; add in vibrant colors, bold text, and other eye-catching graphics to make it even more appealing, making sure that any extras you include represent your video content accurately. Then save your design in a suitable format (PNG or JPEG.)

2. Upload Your Thumbnail

Once your thumbnail is ready to go, open the TikTok app on your mobile device. Log in to your account, and tap the ‘+’ icon located at the bottom center of the screen to start the uploading process. Select the TikTok thumbnail you created and upload it to your TikTok gallery (or if you’re recording on the fly, record your video directly in the TikTok app.)

3. Upload or Create Your Video

Once your thumbnail is uploaded and ready to go, it’s time to upload your video. Tap the ‘+’ icon again to begin the video creation process. If you’ve already produced your TikTok video, upload that to your gallery; if you’re creating on the fly, it’s time to create!

4. Choose Your Thumbnail

After uploading or creating your TikTok video, you’ll be taken to the editing screen that hosts various editing options. Look for the option labeled 'Cover' or 'Thumbnail,' which is typically located near the bottom of the screen. In the thumbnail settings, you can either select a single frame from your video, or upload the custom thumbnail image that you just created! If you’re using your custom design, tap the ‘Upload’ option and choose your saved thumbnail image from your gallery.

5. Adjust the Thumbnail

Once your thumbnail is uploaded, you should see options to adjust its position, cropping, and size. Make sure that the most important elements of your thumbnail, like faces or text, are visible and not cut off to ensure that your cover image looks perfect for viewers.

6. Save and Proceed

After adjusting your thumbnail, tap the "Save" or "Next" button to continue with the video upload process. This step confirms your thumbnail selection and prepares your video for posting!

How to Change a Thumbnail in 6 More Steps!

If you’ve changed your mind (or thought of a better idea!) and would like to update the thumbnail of an already uploaded TikTok video, just follow these steps:

1. Sign Back In!

Launch the TikTok app on your device and sign in to your account.

2. Go to Your Profile 

Navigate to your profile by tapping on your icon, which is located in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to the “gallery” of your TikTok account where all your videos are displayed.

3. Find the Video and Thumbnail

Scroll through your list of videos, and select the video for which you want to change the thumbnail. Tap on the video to open it, then tap the three dots (or “More” button) on the video playback screen to open additional options for the video.

4. Start Editing

From the menu that appears, select the "Edit" option. This will allow you to make changes to your video settings, including thumbnail settings. From there, you can upload a new custom thumbnail image or simply take a new screengrab of a new frame from your video. To upload, tap the ‘Upload’ option and select your new thumbnail from your device’s storage.

5. Adjust as Needed

After selecting your new thumbnail, make any necessary adjustments, repositioning or resizing the image as you’d like, to ensure it looks great. 

6. Save Your Changes

Finally, make sure to save your changes by tapping the "Save" or "Done" button. This will update the thumbnail for your video, complete with your new design choices.

TikTok Thumbnail Ideas

TikTok thumbnails are a representation of the content creator - you! - so make sure that they accurately showcase what to expect in each TikTok video. Fulfilling that requirement can take many fun visual forms - here are some TikTok thumbnail ideas to get you started!

• Bold Text: Incorporate large, bold text that contrasts sharply with your video to create a bold look that attracts viewers’ attention. Text that runs vertically instead of horizontally, or that’s animated, can also add extra punch.

• Vibrant Colors: Bright colors are definitely eye-catching! A vibrant background or wearing striking colors of clothing help your thumbnail pop out in the TikTok feed. Don’t clutter the image with too much, though - your viewers’ attention will generally be drawn to one main point, so an overload of colors can be distracting.
  

• Mystery Visuals: Use visuals that slyly hint at the video's content to make viewers wonder what they’ll see next - incorporate intriguing facial expressions, freeze-frame action shots, or graphics that represent the theme of your video without giving too much away, so people feel compelled to click and find out.

• Cut Outs: This one’s a little more tricky, but if you have some basic graphic design skills or use a tool like Canva, you can make it work. “Cut out” the image of yourself and put it on your thumbnail as a separate image, outside of your video footage. You can put “you” on a completely different (but complimentary) background, add graphics, stickers, text - think of it as an “album cover” for your TikTok video.

• Establish Your Own Style: Maintain a consistent style across your thumbnails to establish your brand. This could involve using similar fonts, colors, or graphic elements that viewers can recognize instantly. Different colors could also be used to rep different kinds of videos that you create - for instance magenta text for works in progress or behind-the-scenes footage; orange text for casual updates; and white text for completed videos.

Add Fourthwall to Your TikTok Mix for Even More Success

Eye-catching TikTok thumbnails play a big role in attracting viewers and making your TikTok videos succeed. And so does an alliance with Fourthwall!

Ecommerce platform Fourthwall can help you capitalize on your TikTok success by giving your new TikTok fans another online place to hang out, buy your merch, and learn more about you as a content creator.

With Fourthwall, you can create your own custom website and branded merchandise store; offer memberships to your most loyal viewers with plenty of perks and discounts; accept tips/donations for your content creation work; showcase your TikToks right on your Fourthwall website; and even integrate your Fourthwall site with TikTok Shop, so you can sell your products directly on TikTok. Take a break from thumbnail designing and match up TikTok and Fourthwall for another big win!