YouTube End Screen Previewer
Preview and plan your YouTube end screen layout before setting it up in YouTube Studio. Drag and drop elements, try proven templates, and export as PNG.
Add elements from the sidebar or pick a template to get started
YouTube recommends starting end screens at least 20 seconds from the end for best results. Your video must be at least 25 seconds long.
Proven End Screen Layouts
Select a layout template to preview. For the full drag-and-drop editor with export, use a desktop browser.
Classic 2-Up
Two video cards side by side. The most popular layout because it gives viewers two clear choices for what to watch next. Best for channels with a large video catalog.
Subscribe + Video
Subscribe button on the left, video card on the right. Great for growing channels that want to convert viewers into subscribers while keeping them watching.
Full Spread
Subscribe, video, playlist, and channel in the corners. Maximum exposure but can look busy. Best for established channels with diverse content types.
Playlist Focus
Large playlist card centered with subscribe button. Perfect for series-based content where you want viewers to binge a playlist rather than pick individual videos.
Minimal
Single centered video card. Clean and focused. Works well when you have one clear "next video" to direct viewers to. Least likely to overlap with video content.
Before Publishing Your End Screen
- Have at least one published video to link to
- Video is at least 25 seconds long
- External links require YouTube Partner Program membership
- End screen does not overlap important visual content
- Elements are within the safe zone (away from edges)
- Test how it looks on mobile (elements render smaller)
- Verbally call out the end screen in your video
A YouTube end screen is an interactive overlay that appears during the last 5 to 20 seconds of your video, allowing you to promote up to 4 elements: video suggestions, playlist links, subscribe buttons, channel cards, and external links. This free End Screen Previewer by CollabPals lets you visually plan your end screen layout with a drag-and-drop editor, try 5 proven layout templates, preview how elements look on desktop, mobile, and TV, and export your layout as a PNG reference image for YouTube Studio. No signup required.
How to Add End Screens to YouTube Videos
End screens are one of YouTube's most powerful built-in tools for keeping viewers on your channel. They appear as clickable overlays during the final seconds of your video, letting you suggest the next video to watch, promote a playlist, encourage subscriptions, or link to an external website. Before adding end screens, make sure you have completed your YouTube upload checklist so every element of your video is optimized.
Go to studio.youtube.com, click Content in the left sidebar, and select the video you want to add an end screen to. The video must be at least 25 seconds long.
In the video editor, click the End Screen button. YouTube will show the end screen editing interface with a preview of your video's final seconds.
Click the plus button to add elements. Choose from Video (best for latest upload, best for viewer, or specific video), Playlist, Subscribe, Channel, or Link (Partner Program only). Position each element by dragging it on the preview.
Drag the blue bars on the timeline to control when each element appears and disappears. Elements can appear at different times within the 5-20 second end screen window. YouTube recommends at least 20 seconds of end screen time.
Click the play button to preview your end screen. Check that elements are visible against your video background and do not overlap YouTube's UI (progress bar, suggested videos). Click Save when satisfied.
YouTube End Screen Specifications
Understanding the exact dimensions and rules for YouTube end screen elements helps you plan layouts that look professional and work correctly on every device. For a complete reference of all YouTube image dimensions including thumbnails, banners, and profile pictures, see our YouTube image size guide.
| Element | Dimensions | Shape | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video card | 613 x 343 pixels | Rectangle (16:9) | Shows thumbnail and title of linked video |
| Playlist card | 613 x 343 pixels | Rectangle (16:9) | Shows playlist thumbnail, title, and video count |
| Subscribe button | 298 x 298 pixels | Circle | Shows channel avatar with subscribe action |
| Channel card | 298 x 298 pixels | Circle | Links to another YouTube channel |
| Link card | 298 x 298 pixels | Square | External URL (YouTube Partner Program only) |
Best YouTube End Screen Layouts
Not all end screen layouts perform equally. Research from top YouTube creators shows that simpler layouts with 2-3 elements consistently outperform busy layouts with 4 elements. Here are the 5 most effective end screen layouts and when to use each one:
Classic 2-Up
Two video cards side by side. The most popular YouTube end screen layout because it gives viewers two clear choices. Use "Best for viewer" (YouTube picks automatically) for one slot and a specific video for the other.
Subscribe + Video
Subscribe button on the left, video card on the right. Best for growing channels under 10,000 subscribers where every new subscriber matters. The subscribe button catches attention while the video card keeps viewers watching.
Full Spread
Uses all 4 element slots: subscribe, video, playlist, and channel card in the corners. Maximizes exposure but can look cluttered. Best for established channels with series, playlists, and a second channel to promote.
Playlist Focus
Large playlist card centered with a subscribe button in the corner. Perfect for tutorial series, courses, or binge-worthy content. Drives playlist views, which increase total watch time and session duration.
Minimal
Single centered video card. The cleanest option. Works well when you have one strong "next video" recommendation. Least likely to overlap with your video's visual content and performs best on mobile.
End Screen Optimization Tips
Getting the layout right is only half the battle. These optimization strategies help maximize the click-through rate on your end screen elements:
Say something like "Check out this video next" or "Click here to subscribe" while pointing toward where your end screen elements will appear. Videos with verbal callouts see 2-3 times higher end screen click rates. Use a script timer to make sure your verbal callout fits within the end screen window.
Leave visual space in your outro for end screen elements. Many creators use a dedicated end screen background (a static frame or subtle animation) during the last 20 seconds so elements are clearly visible against the background. Design an outro frame that matches your channel banner style for consistent branding, and preview your video thumbnails to make sure the suggested video cards look compelling in the end screen overlay.
YouTube's algorithm picks the most relevant video for each viewer. This personalized recommendation typically outperforms manually chosen videos because YouTube knows each viewer's watch history and preferences.
More elements means more visual clutter and decision paralysis. Studies show that end screens with 2 elements get higher total click-through rates than end screens with 4 elements. Quality of placement matters more than quantity.
In YouTube Studio Analytics, go to Content and then End Screen Elements to see click rates for each element. Remove underperforming elements and experiment with different layouts. A good end screen click rate is 2-5% of total views.
End Screens vs YouTube Cards
YouTube offers two types of in-video interactive elements: end screens and cards. They serve different purposes and work best when used together. You can also organize your video timeline with YouTube chapters to improve viewer navigation and watch time:
| Feature | End Screens | Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Last 5-20 seconds only | Anywhere in the video |
| Max elements | 4 | 5 |
| Visibility | Always visible (overlay) | Small icon, viewer must click to expand |
| Best for | Next video, subscribe, playlist | Mid-video links, polls, related content |
| Mobile | Shows but renders smaller | Shows as small teaser icon |
| Shorts compatible | No | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a YouTube end screen?
A YouTube end screen is an interactive overlay that appears during the last 5 to 20 seconds of your video. It can contain up to 4 elements including video suggestions, playlist links, subscribe buttons, channel links, and external links (for YouTube Partner Program members). End screens help keep viewers on your channel by directing them to more content.
What size are YouTube end screen elements?
YouTube end screens display within a 1920x1080 pixel frame (16:9 aspect ratio). Video and playlist elements are approximately 613x343 pixels. Subscribe and channel buttons are circular at about 298 pixels in diameter. Link elements are square at about 298x298 pixels. Keep elements within the safe zone (10% from edges) for best visibility on all devices.
How many elements can I add to a YouTube end screen?
You can add a maximum of 4 elements to a YouTube end screen. These can be any combination of video suggestions, playlist links, subscribe buttons, channel cards, and external links. Most successful creators use 2 to 3 elements to keep the end screen clean and focused.
How long should a YouTube end screen last?
YouTube allows end screens to appear during the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video. YouTube recommends starting end screens at least 20 seconds before the video ends for best results. Your video must be at least 25 seconds long to add an end screen.
What is the best YouTube end screen layout?
The most popular and effective layout is the "Classic 2-Up" with two video cards side by side. This layout works well because it gives viewers two clear choices for what to watch next. Other proven layouts include Subscribe plus Video (subscribe button on the left, video card on the right) and Playlist Focus (large playlist card centered with a subscribe button).
Do YouTube end screens work on mobile?
Yes, YouTube end screens work on mobile devices, but they render differently. Elements appear smaller and may be repositioned by YouTube to fit the mobile screen. This is why it is important to preview your end screen layout on mobile before publishing, and to keep elements away from the edges of the frame.
How do I add an end screen to my YouTube video?
Open YouTube Studio, select your video, click the Editor tab, and then click End Screen. Add elements by clicking the plus button and choosing from Video, Playlist, Subscribe, Channel, or Link. Position the elements by dragging them on the timeline and the preview area. Use our End Screen Previewer to plan your layout before going into YouTube Studio.
Can I use end screens on YouTube Shorts?
No, YouTube end screens are not available for Shorts. End screens only work on standard videos (horizontal, 16:9 format) that are at least 25 seconds long. Shorts have their own engagement features like the subscribe button overlay and related Shorts suggestions.
Why are my YouTube end screen clicks low?
Common reasons for low end screen clicks include: elements placed where they overlap with YouTube UI (progress bar, suggested videos sidebar), using too many elements that compete for attention, end screen appearing for too short a time (less than 10 seconds), poor contrast between elements and the video background, and not verbally calling out the end screen in your video. Use our safe zone overlay to avoid UI conflicts.
How do I export my end screen layout?
Use the Export button in our End Screen Previewer to download your layout as a PNG image. This image serves as a visual reference when you set up your actual end screen in YouTube Studio. It shows exact element positions so you can replicate the layout precisely.
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