How to Make a YouTube Logo + the Best Logos for Inspiration

As a video content creator, you can elevate your brand by adding a YouTube logo to your channel. For differentiating yourself from your competition, a catchy and professional logo is nearly as important as researching engaging content to film and editing your videos for quality.

A professional-looking logo can also add a sense of credibility to your work. This identifying image helps your audience connect better with your content by offering them an idea of who you are—and what your channel is about.

Your logo is a gateway to drawing in viewers and encouraging them to engage with your content.

If you’re unsure where to start creating a new logo, we’ll walk you through how to make a good YouTube logo and offer examples of effective logos as inspiration.

How to make a YouTube logo

Are you not sure how to make a YouTube channel logo? Check out these steps for taking your branding to the next level.

1. Use quality design software

If you want to make your own YouTube logo design, you’re in luck.

A variety of free logo makers—such as Canva, Figma, and GIMP—offer tutorials for first-time users and make it easy to sample templates as you design your image.

These platforms are easy to use, even for those who have never designed a logo.

Some platforms also offer premium images and elements for a small fee. If you’re feeling ambitious, you might consider using paid design software options like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, depending on how comfortable you are using these programs.

For the sake of this article, we’ll use Canva’s YouTube logo maker for demonstration.

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2. Select a customizable template

If you don’t have a Canva account, you can create one for free. Then, when you’re logged in, you’ll be prompted to search for the type of design you’re interested in creating.

In the search bar, type “YouTube Channel Logo.”

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Once you select “YouTube Channel Logo” from the drop-down menu, you’ll be directed to a new page that features YouTube channel logo templates.

There are more than 200 templates to choose from—everything from simple and sophisticated to fun and vibrant.

When choosing a template, consider your brand identity as a content creator and what you want to convey to your audience.

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If you’re not interested in any of the templates or want to create your own look, select “Create a blank YouTube Channel Logo,” which allows you to create a logo from scratch.

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3. Adjust fonts and colors to fit your brand

When communicating who you are as a YouTube content creator, consider keeping the look of your channel’s logo simple.

Anything too busy (more than a few logo colors or more than one or two fonts) can distract from your message and turn viewers away.

Also, be careful when selecting font styles. The typography and typefaces you choose can say a lot about your brand identity.

Readability is important as viewers need to be able to look at your logo and understand the name of your channel and what you’re about.

YouTube logo creator software, like Canva, will offer you a variety of fonts and colors to choose from.

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4. Export and upload to YouTube

Once you’re happy with your logo, you can download your design in various formats, such as JPG, PNG, or PDF.

Before downloading it, select the size and image resolution that works best for how you plan to use it—whether you’re uploading it to a social media profile or printing it on a T-shirt or poster.

High resolution works best for most purposes.

Other options include downloading your logo with a transparent background. It all depends on your design needs.

An image with a transparent background is more useful when you want to put your logo on any color palette or in different mediums, such as merchandise or letterheads.

You may want to use your YouTube logo as the square image known as your profile picture—or your YouTube thumbnail image. The recommended dimensions are 800-by-800 pixels.

Ideal file formats for your logo include JPG, JPEG, BMP, or PNG.

Remember that the size of your new logo is much different from the recommended dimensions for your YouTube banner.

With the click of a button, Canva allows you to directly share your logo on social media sites, including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Once you’ve downloaded your logo, you’re ready to upload it to your YouTube channel by taking the following steps:

1. Sign in to YouTube Creator Studio.

2. From the left menu, select “Customization” and “Branding.”

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3. Click “Change” and choose an image. Change the size of the image before clicking “Done.”

4. Click “Publish.” Your profile picture will take several minutes to update across your YouTube channel.

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9 best YouTube logos for inspiration

Looking for some logo ideas? If you’re still uncertain about making a good logo for YouTube, look at what other content creators are using for their profile pictures on the platform.

Review some of the best YouTube logos for inspiration.

1. MrBeast

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With more than 128 million subscribers, MrBeast is among the most popular YouTubers in the world. His logo—using vibrant colors—is instantly recognizable and ties in with the fun nature of his videos.

The wildcat image is synonymous with his name and brand.  

2. T-Series

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With more than 234 million subscribers, the Indian record label is a highly subscribed to channel on YouTube.

The company uses a clean look with simple colors (red and white) and its name, T-Series, is in an easy-to-read font.

Notably, the letter T—the most prominent part of its name—is placed in a circular frame, making it the focal point.

3. WWE

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While the wrestling behemoth’s logo has changed a bit over the years, its YouTube profile picture leans heavily on the WWE’s iconic imagery—making it instantly recognizable for fans of all ages.

Those who don’t catch matches on TV can view videos of the high-drama, aggressive sport on its YouTube channel. The logo says it all with its eye-catching, edgy, and dramatic flair.

This dynamic branding is impactful.

4. 5-Minute Crafts

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This vibrant logo captures the fun, breezy vibe of this DIY craft YouTube channel. The bright blue and yellow instantly grabs the viewer’s attention, and the lightbulb represents new ideas and projects.

Coupled with the channel’s name—5-Minute Crafts—in some versions of the design, this logo immediately tells new viewers what they’re in for.

5. JackSepticEye

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Irish YouTuber Sean William McLoughlin shares video content about gaming, memes, and comedy.

His logo—a giant eyeball swimming in a bright green background—speaks to the gamer community and fits his brand well.

6. Marshmello

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Who’s better at branding than DJ Marshmello? It was only recently that his identity was revealed after years of remaining a secret.

He was able to keep the mystery alive for so long through his signature look—a marshmallow mask with a simple black-and-white face painted on it.

His current YouTube icon features a picture of him from a unique perspective wearing vibrant colors and his signature mask. One look at the image, and fans know exactly whose channel they’re looking at.

7. Fandango

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Fandango’s YouTube logo is innovatively simple. It uses a bright orange color offset by white.

At first glance, it features a boldface “F,” representing the movie ticketing company’s name. With a deeper, longer look, though, the image plays a trick on the eyes, and you quickly realize it’s designed to look like a ticket stub.

8. SmarterEveryDay

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This science-based, educational YouTube channel has one goal: to teach its viewers about a range of topics—from the speed limit of helicopters to how to spot social media misinformation.

The brand’s logo represents its fun, informative videos well. It features an outline of a human head and brain illuminated like a neon sign, which prepares you for the information you’re about to take in.

9. Cocomelon - Nursery Rhymes

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The colorful and whimsical logo for this popular children’s YouTube channel is fun and fanciful, quickly grabbing the attention of kids and their families.

JJ and his animal pals are known for their adventures filled with nursery rhymes and other songs. Its logo design represents what the characters and their videos are all about.

Tips for creating a great YouTube channel icon

As you make your YouTube logo, check out these tips and tricks for creating a memorable design.

Keep the design simple yet memorable

Creating an effective logo is a delicate balance of creativity and artistry with conveying your brand’s image and message.

If you try to fit too much into your logo—overcrowding it with too many design elements—it might confuse and distract viewers. At the same time, you need to make sure your logo is eye-catching and memorable.

Make sure the design is relevant to your content

The main purpose of your YouTube logo is to share your brand’s identity with an image. This distinguishes you from your competitors.

But if your logo isn’t relevant or doesn’t match the content you’re posting to your channel, you may lose credibility with YouTube users or lose viewers. At a minimum, you’ll have lost a key means of quickly reaching both new and returning viewers.

Some great examples of YouTube creators that keep their logo on brand include DJ Marshmello, whose image features a picture of him wearing his signature mask, and the children’s channel Cocomelon, which uses a fun and colorful logo that’s eye-catching for kids.

Add your own spin on the design

If you’re using free YouTube logo templates to create your design, you’ll want to find ways to customize it. A unique logo allows your brand to stand out among other content creators.

Even when using platforms like Canva, there are ways to customize the templates offered to users.

These platforms provide the tools you need to put a personal mark on your design—swapping out colors and fonts, adding filters, and even adding animation.

When and how to hire a logo designer

If you’re uncertain about how to make a cool YouTube logo, consider bringing in a pro.

Logo designers understand the nuances of fonts, colors, and other design elements that might have a psychological impact on your viewers.

By hiring a professional using a platform like Upwork—rather than relying on a free logo template—you’ll get a completely original design for your YouTube channel.

How much does it cost to hire someone for logo design?

Hiring a professional logo designer could be the best option for your brand. But the idea of finding a designer might sound daunting if you’re not sure where to start.

Luckily, Upwork can help you make an informed decision for your channel—and it’s more affordable than you might think. Through Upwork, the median hourly rate for designers ranges from $15 to $30 an hour.

Search Upwork’s database of talented and professional designers—reviewing examples of their work and ratings and reviews from other clients—to find the right fit for your brand.

If you’re a freelance designer seeking new clients, consider creating a profile and portfolio through Upwork to reach companies needing your skills.

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Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyse and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

Prices are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.