How to Create MrBeast Style Thumbnails: Complete Tutorial

If you’ve ever seen a MrBeast video, you’ve probably noticed how his thumbnails instantly grab your attention. They’re bold, exciting, and make you curious enough to click.

The good news is you don’t need a massive team or budget to create similar thumbnails.

With the right approach, you can design thumbnails that stand out and boost your video’s performance. Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Focus on the Story You’re Telling

Every MrBeast thumbnail reflects the most interesting or surprising part of the video. Before designing, think about the key moment or idea your video revolves around. Ask yourself:

• What’s the most exciting part of the video?
• How can I show that visually?

For example, if your video involves a challenge or an unusual event, your thumbnail should reflect the intensity or stakes of that moment. Having a clear idea of the story helps create a thumbnail that aligns with your video and grabs viewers’ interest.

2. Highlight Emotions and Expressions

One of the reasons MrBeast’s thumbnails work so well is the way they use strong emotions. Close-up shots with exaggerated facial expressions—shock, excitement, or amazement—work wonders for catching the eye. If your content doesn’t involve faces, you can use objects or symbols to create the same effect.

For instance, a giant stack of cash or an unexpected scene can trigger curiosity just as effectively.

3. Use Bold Colors and High Contrast

MrBeast thumbnails are visually loud, and that’s no accident. Bold colors and sharp contrasts make them stand out on YouTube’s crowded feed. Pick a bright, colorful background and make sure the main elements—whether it’s a person or an object—are clearly outlined.

For example:

• Background: bright colors that contrast with the subject.
• Foreground: defined shapes and vivid details.

Experiment with tools that let you tweak colors and adjust brightness or contrast. The goal is to make your thumbnail pop, even when it’s small on a screen.

4. Use the Right Font

Text is a small but important part of thumbnails. MrBeast’s team uses the Obelix Pro font by Valentin Antonov. It’s a bold, comic-style font that’s free for personal use and works perfectly for this style of thumbnail.

Keep your text short and direct—usually one or two words like “$10,000” or “INSANE.” The font size should be large enough to be readable on small screens, and the text should complement, not clutter, the overall design.

5. Find the Right Balance Between Realism and Creativity

MrBeast’s thumbnails often feature visuals that look real but slightly exaggerated—like a massive pile of money or a giant wheel of prizes. This mix of believable and exaggerated elements draws people in without looking fake.

You can achieve this effect by using reference images or AI tools to generate visuals that are both realistic and a little over-the-top. Adjust textures and colors to make sure everything fits together naturally.

6. Create Depth with Layers

To make your thumbnails look professional, add depth by layering the elements. For instance, place your main subject in the foreground and blur the background slightly.

This effect makes your thumbnail feel more dynamic and grabs attention.

7. Test and Tweak Your Design

Even the best thumbnails can be improved. Once you’ve created a thumbnail, try testing it against a few variations. YouTube’s A/B testing features or third-party tools can help you figure out which version performs better. Small tweaks—like changing colors, adjusting text, or re-positioning elements—can make a big difference in click-through rates.

If you’re using a tool like ThumbGenie, you can quickly generate multiple variations and refine them based on what works best.

Practical Tips for Better Thumbnails

• Consistency Matters: over time, aim to develop a recognizable thumbnail style. This helps build your channel’s identity and makes your videos more familiar to regular viewers.
• Keep it Simple: don’t overload your thumbnail with too many details. Focus on one main idea and make it as clear as possible.
• Use Tools to Save Time: AI thumbnail makers are great for producing high-quality designs quickly. They’re especially useful if you’re working with a lot of videos and need to stay consistent.

By focusing on storytelling, bold visuals, and clean designs, you can create thumbnails that catch the eye and get people to click. The key is to keep experimenting and refining your approach until you find what works best for your audience.