AI thumbnail generator
Describe the video. Get three complete thumbnail concepts, drawn instantly, each with a headline, layout and palette. Paint an AI background if you want one, then finish it in the editor with your own photo.
No AI needed? Start from a template or open the thumbnail maker directly. Both work without any AI call.
What the AI does, and what it doesn't
Most “AI thumbnail generators” produce one flat image with garbled text baked in. That is hard to fix and usually needs redoing. ThumbCraft splits the job:
- The language model writes the concept. It picks the hook words, the layout that suits the hook and a palette that stays readable at phone size.
- The editor draws the text. Letters are real, editable text layers in thumbnail fonts, so there are no misspelled AI letters.
- The image model paints only the background. It is told to leave out text, logos and people, so the scene sits behind your photo and headline.
- You add the face. Your real expression, cut out in one click with the background remover.
Writing a good prompt
Say what happens in the video and what is surprising about it. “Gaming PC video” gives generic results; “I built a $500 PC and it beat a PS5 in 4 of 5 games” gives the model a number, a contrast and a result to work with.
Questions
How does the AI thumbnail generator work?
You describe the video. A language model (GPT-6 Luna via Vercel AI Gateway) writes three complete concepts: headline, sub-line, badge, layout and colours. Each concept is drawn instantly with ThumbCraft's templates. You can then ask an image model (Recraft V4.1 Flash) to paint a matching background and open the result in the editor to add your own photo.
Why doesn't the AI draw my face?
On purpose. Thumbnails with the creator's real face build recognition, and AI-drawn people that look like real people can mislead viewers. The generator leaves a photo slot for you; add your photo and use one-click background removal.
Is AI-generated artwork allowed on YouTube?
Yes, as long as the thumbnail follows YouTube's thumbnail policy: no misleading, sexual, violent or hateful imagery. Custom thumbnails that misrepresent the video can be removed.
Is there a limit?
Concepts are free with a fair-use limit of about 15 per 10 minutes per visitor. AI backgrounds are limited to 6 per 30 minutes because image generation costs more.