Free YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
This free YouTube thumbnail downloader takes any YouTube video link, including watch, shorts, youtu.be and embed addresses, and shows its thumbnail in five sizes up to 1280 by 720 pixels, with a link to open each one full size. It suits creators studying competitor thumbnails and anyone who needs the cover image of a video they own or have permission to use.
YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
YouTube
About this tool
Every YouTube video has a set of thumbnail pictures stored at a predictable address built from its 11 character video ID. Paste the video link, or just the ID, and this tool finds the ID, builds the five standard addresses and shows each picture. Open one full size, then right-click and save it, or use your browser's save image option.
The sizes run from the 120 by 90 default up to maxresdefault at 1280 by 720. The maximum resolution image exists only for videos uploaded in HD or higher, so for older or low resolution videos that preview may show broken or a grey placeholder. In that case use the 640 by 480 or 480 by 360 version. The images are loaded directly from YouTube's image servers, not copied or stored by us.
A thumbnail belongs to the creator of the video and is protected by copyright. Use this tool to review your own thumbnails, to study layouts and text size for inspiration, or to reuse an image you have permission for. Do not republish someone else's thumbnail as your own. The tool does not download videos, and it only works for public and unlisted videos with a standard thumbnail.
Frequently asked questions
What YouTube links does this accept?
Almost all of them: standard watch links, youtu.be short links, Shorts, embed, live and mobile or music addresses, with or without extra parameters such as a start time. You can also paste only the 11 character video ID. Playlist links without a video ID will not work, so open a single video first.
What size is the best YouTube thumbnail?
The recommended upload size is 1280 by 720 pixels at a 16 by 9 ratio, under 2 MB, as JPG, PNG or GIF. That is also the largest version available here. If a video was uploaded with a smaller image, the maximum resolution file does not exist and the next size down is the best you can get.
Why does the maxresdefault image not load?
The full 1280 by 720 file is only made when the uploaded thumbnail is that large, or the video is HD. Older videos, Shorts and videos with a small custom thumbnail often lack it. Use the 640 by 480 sddefault or 480 by 360 hqdefault version instead, which exist for every video.
Can I use someone else's thumbnail?
Only with permission. The thumbnail is part of the creator's work and is covered by copyright, even though the address is public. Download your own thumbnails freely, learn from other creators' layouts, but make your own image rather than copying theirs. Check the creator's terms before reusing one.
Does this tool download the video?
No. It only shows the thumbnail pictures YouTube already publishes for each video, and links to them. It does not download, copy or store videos or images, and no request about your link is sent from our server to YouTube. Your browser loads the pictures directly from YouTube's image servers.