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YouTube Thumbnail Downloader

Paste a video link. Get its thumbnail in every size, up to HD, ready to save.

Try:

Example Paste a video link and its thumbnail appears here.

Example thumbnail

I Played the Scariest Game on Steam for 24 Hours

Sample channelBest size: HD 1280 × 720

Every size

YouTube makes up to 5 sizes. The 2 biggest exist only for some videos. On a wide video, the 4:3 ones have black bars.

HD

1280 × 720Widescreen

Large

640 × 4804:3 shape

Medium

480 × 3604:3 shapeEvery video has this

Small

320 × 180WidescreenEvery video has this

Tiny

120 × 904:3 shapeEvery video has this

How it looks on YouTube

On the home page, then beside a video. Check it still reads when small.

A YouTube thumbnail downloader saves the picture YouTube shows for a video. Paste any video link to get every size it has, up to HD. Free, no sign-up, no watermark.

How to Download YouTube Thumbnails

You only need the video's link. Nothing to install and nothing to sign in to.

  1. Copy the video link

    From the address bar, or from Share under any video. Shorts links work too.

  2. Paste it here

    The thumbnail appears in a few seconds, with every size YouTube made for that video.

  3. Press Download

    The picture saves to your downloads as a .jpg. Or press Copy link to paste it anywhere.

YouTube Thumbnail Resolutions Explained

YouTube makes up to 5 standard sizes. The 3 smallest exist for every video. The 2 biggest exist only for some.

SizePixelsShapeEvery video?
HD1280 x 720WidescreenOnly some
Large640 x 4804:3, black barsOnly some
Medium480 x 3604:3, black barsYes
Small320 x 180WidescreenYes
Tiny120 x 904:3, black barsYes

On a wide video, the 4:3 sizes add black bars above and below. For a clean picture, take HD or Small.

How to Use the Thumbnail Downloader

  • Study what works: save the thumbnails of the biggest videos in your niche and look for what they share.
  • Keep your own: back up your old thumbnails before you change them.
  • Many at once: paste up to 10 links and press Download all for one .zip file.
  • Just the link: Copy link gives the picture's own address, ready for Canva, Figma or a slide.

Making your own? See it on YouTube first with the Thumbnail Previewer, then let real creators pick a winner in the Thumbnail Tester.

YouTube Display Preview

Every thumbnail you get here is also shown as a YouTube home page card and as a smaller card beside a video. That is the size most people see it at, so check it still reads when small.

  • Few words: 3 or 4 big words still read on a phone.
  • One face or one object: small details vanish at card size.
  • Clear corners: YouTube puts the video length in the bottom right, over the picture.

Saving a thumbnail to study, research or learn from is generally fine. The picture still belongs to the creator who made it.

  • Fine: studying it, keeping your own, showing it in a review with credit.
  • Not fine: posting it as your own thumbnail, or using it in ads without permission.

When in doubt, ask the creator, and always credit them when you share it.

1 Choose the size and color
2 Copy the code
3 See how it looks

Frequently asked questions

What people ask most about YouTube thumbnails.

How do I download a YouTube thumbnail?

Paste the video link into the box and press Get thumbnail. The biggest size appears with a Download button. Every other size is listed under it. No sign-up and no watermark.

What sizes do YouTube thumbnails come in?

Up to 5: HD (1280 x 720), Large (640 x 480), Medium (480 x 360), Small (320 x 180) and Tiny (120 x 90). The 3 smallest exist for every video. The 2 biggest exist only for some.

Why is there no HD thumbnail for some videos?

YouTube makes the 1280 x 720 picture only for some videos, often older or low quality uploads. When a video has none, we mark it and offer the biggest size it does have.

Can I download a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?

Yes. Paste the Shorts link. You get the same sizes as any other video. They are wide pictures, so a Short often shows with dark bars on the sides.

Can I download many thumbnails at once?

Yes. Press Get many at once and paste up to 10 links, one per line. Download each one, or press Download all to get them in one .zip file.

Is it legal to download YouTube thumbnails?

Saving one to study, research or learn from is generally fine. The picture still belongs to its creator, so do not post it as your own or use it in ads without permission. Credit the creator when you share it.

How do I see how a thumbnail looks on YouTube?

Every thumbnail you get here is shown on a YouTube home page card and beside a video, at about the real size. To try your own picture and title first, use the free Thumbnail Previewer.

Which YouTube links work?

Watch links, youtu.be short links, Shorts, live and embed links, links from the phone site, and the 11-character video ID on its own.

Can I copy the picture link instead of downloading?

Yes. Press Copy link next to any size to copy its direct address on YouTube. Paste it into Canva, Figma, a blog post or a slide.

Does it add a watermark or change the picture?

No. You get YouTube's own file, exactly as YouTube stores it.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. It works in any phone browser. The picture saves to your downloads, and from there you can move it to your photos.

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