Instagram Reels Thumbnail Maker

Create Instagram Reels thumbnails from your video in seconds.
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Upload your footage and generate Instagram Reels cover images in about 45 seconds. The AI analyzes your content and builds covers optimized for the Reels tab, feed, and profile grid.

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Replace Instagram's random frame with a designed cover

Instagram auto-selects a blurry, mid-motion frame as your default Reel cover. The AI builds custom covers from your footage that look intentional on your grid, feed, and Reels tab.

Features

Reels thumbnail tools built for vertical content

Every Reels cover feature works within Instagram's 9:16 format and respects the platform's crop zones.

Generate covers from your actual video

The AI pulls the strongest moments from your footage and builds Reel covers around them. No blank templates or stock images, just your content, reframed.

Keep key elements inside safe zones

Reel covers display at full 9:16 on the Reels tab but crop to 4:5 in the feed and 1:1 on your grid. Thumbmagic places faces and text in the center safe zone by default.

Match your expression to each Reel's energy

Choose Happy for lifestyle content, Surprised for reveals, or Excited for announcements. The AI adjusts your facial expression without reshooting.

Add headline text that survives every crop

Overlay styled titles using the Instagram Reels cover dimensions. Text stays readable at 1080x1920 full-size and inside the 1:1 grid square.

Create a consistent grid aesthetic

Apply the same color palette and text style across every cover. Your profile reads as a curated gallery instead of a wall of random screenshots.

Get two cover variants per generation

Each run produces two options so you can compare compositions. Pick the stronger cover or A/B test both across posting schedules.

How it works

How Instagram Reels cover creation works

The AI analyzes your video and suggests headlines that match your content. Start with options you can use directly or refine to fit your style.

Generate Thumbnails

Try it for free

Generate or select a thumbnail

Paste a YouTube URL or upload your file. The AI extracts key phrases and generates 3-5 headline suggestions based on what you actually say.

Edit your text

Click any suggestion to add it, then modify however you want. The text field is fully editable.

Style and position

Create additional text blocks for subheadlines, labels, or guest names. Each block has independent styling and positioning.

USE CASES

Who uses a Reels cover image maker

Creators who want a polished Instagram presence without manual design work.

Lifestyle and beauty creators

Your grid is your portfolio. Consistent cover designs with cohesive colors and clean text make your profile look curated without hours in Canva.

Music artists and DJs

Branded covers for release promos, studio sessions, and live clips. The same visual identity across every Reel turns your profile into a catalog.

Small businesses

Product-focused covers that highlight what you sell. The AI generates covers showing your product in context from your own video content.

Content teams and agencies

Managing multiple accounts means dozens of Reel covers per week. About 45 seconds per generation replaces the template-customization grind.

Shorts and TikTok crossposters

Repurposing vertical content across platforms means different crop behaviors. One Thumbmagic generation gives you covers sized for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.

Frequently asked questions

What size should an Instagram Reel cover be?

1080x1920 pixels at 9:16. Keep important elements centered since Instagram crops to 4:5 in the feed and 1:1 on your grid.

What is the difference between a Reel cover and a Reel thumbnail?

Same thing. Instagram calls it a "cover image," but creators use "thumbnail" interchangeably.

Can I change my Reel cover after posting?

Yes. Open the Reel, tap the three-dot menu, select "Edit," then tap "Edit cover" to upload a new image.

Do custom Reel covers affect engagement?

Custom covers consistently outperform auto-selected frames. They give viewers a reason to tap from your grid and Explore.

Will the same cover work on TikTok and Shorts?

Yes. All three platforms use 9:16 at 1080x1920, but test that your centered composition survives Instagram's 1:1 grid crop.

What is the best free Reels thumbnail generator?

Thumbmagic's free tier includes 3 generations and 6 cover variants. No watermark and no credit card required.

Stop losing views to mediocre thumbnails

Generate studio-quality thumbnails that stop scrolling and drive clicks in seconds. No design skills needed.