YouTube thumbnail downloader
Paste a YouTube link: a regular video, a Short, a live stream or a youtu.be share link. The downloader shows the video's thumbnail in every size YouTube keeps, up to HD (1280 × 720). Press Download under the one you want. Some older or smaller videos don't have an HD version; those sizes are greyed out.
Thumbnail sizes YouTube keeps
| Name | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HD (maxresdefault) | 1280 × 720 | Only if the uploader's image or video was HD |
| Standard (sddefault) | 640 × 480 | 4:3, with bars above and below a 16:9 image |
| High (hqdefault) | 480 × 360 | Exists for every video |
| Medium (mqdefault) | 320 × 180 | 16:9, no bars |
The images come straight from YouTube's image server (i.ytimg.com). This page doesn't store or process them.
What you can use a thumbnail for
Thumbnails belong to whoever made them. Downloading your own is always fine: say you lost the original file, or want it for a blog post or a newsletter. Using someone else's thumbnail to discuss or review their video is usually fine, but don't reuse it as your own thumbnail or in an ad. When in doubt, ask the creator.
Making your own thumbnail
YouTube now recommends 3840 × 2160 pixels (1280 × 720 is the usual working size), 16:9, as JPG or PNG, up to 50 MB from a computer or 2 MB from the app. If your design is a different size, the image resizer crops or fits it to exactly 1280 × 720. Shorts use a frame from the video by default, and you can pick a different one in the YouTube app.
When you schedule a long video with ClipFlame's YouTube scheduler, you can upload a custom thumbnail with it, and it's set on the video when it goes live.
Common questions
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail?
Paste the video's link and press Download under the size you want, up to HD (1280 × 720).
Can I use someone else's thumbnail?
Downloading your own is fine. Using someone else's to discuss their video is usually fine; reusing it as your own isn't.
Does it work with Shorts links?
Yes: regular videos, Shorts, live streams and youtu.be links.
Why is there no HD version?
Some older or smaller videos only have lower-resolution thumbnails on YouTube's image server.