Learn · Video
Video Thumbnail Best Practices
A useful thumbnail explains what the video contains before anyone presses play. Pick a frame that is clear, stable, and specific to the content.
Choose a frame with context
A good thumbnail shows the product, screen, person, or result that matters. Avoid frames with motion blur, closed eyes, loading spinners, blank screens, or transitional fades unless that is the actual point of the video.
Check small sizes
Most thumbnails are viewed small. If the main subject disappears at card size, choose a closer frame or crop the final image after capture. High-contrast shapes and readable UI states work better than busy scenes.
PNG or JPG
Use PNG for interface screenshots, text, dashboards, and graphics with sharp edges. Use JPG for camera footage or photographs where smaller file size matters more than crisp text edges.
Keep a naming convention
Name thumbnails after the source video and destination, such as product-demo-cover.jpg or onboarding-step-03.png. Clear names make handoff easier when several videos share the same folder.
Capture a frame
Open Video Thumbnail and export a still image from a chosen timestamp.
Need a shorter source?
Use Video Trim if the useful section is buried in a longer video.