How to download a YouTube thumbnail
- Copy the link of the video or Short (Share → Copy link, or the address bar).
- Paste it in the box above and click Get thumbnail.
- Every size YouTube has for that video appears. Click Download under the one you want to save it as a JPG.
Which sizes are there?
YouTube makes several copies of each thumbnail. This tool shows the four that are useful:
- Full HD, 1280 × 720 (maxresdefault): the sharpest. It exists only when the uploader sent a large custom thumbnail or the video itself is HD, so older and low-resolution videos often don't have it. When it's missing, the tool leaves it out.
- Standard, 640 × 480 (sddefault), High, 480 × 360 (hqdefault) and Medium, 320 × 180 (mqdefault): available for almost every video. The 4:3 sizes have black bars above and below a 16:9 picture.
For a Short the picture is a frame chosen by YouTube or the creator; it is stored in the same sizes.
Can I use someone else's thumbnail?
A thumbnail is part of the creator's work and is protected by copyright like the video. Saving it for reference, to study a design, or to keep a copy of your own channel's artwork is fine. Re-uploading it, putting it on merchandise or using it as your own video's thumbnail needs the creator's permission.
Questions
Is it free? Yes. Thumbnails don't count toward the 5 free video downloads per day, and you don't need an account.
Does it work on a phone? Yes, in any mobile browser. On iPhone the image goes to the Files app (Downloads); open it there and choose Save Image to put it in Photos.
Want the video itself? Use the YouTube video downloader on the homepage (MP4 up to 720p free).