YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
Paste a video or Shorts link to get its thumbnail in every published size, up to 1280×720.
Thumbnail sizes YouTube publishes
| Name | File | Size | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum resolution | maxresdefault.jpg | 1280×720 | 16:9 |
| Standard definition | sddefault.jpg | 640×480 | 4:3 (letterboxed) |
| High quality | hqdefault.jpg | 480×360 | 4:3 (letterboxed) |
| Medium quality | mqdefault.jpg | 320×180 | 16:9 |
| Default | default.jpg | 120×90 | 4:3 (letterboxed) |
Making thumbnails from your own images or videos? Try the image thumbnail generator or the video thumbnail generator.
Where YouTube thumbnails come from
Every public YouTube video has its thumbnail stored on YouTube's image server at a fixed address made from the video's 11-character ID, such asi.ytimg.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/hqdefault.jpg. This tool reads the ID from your link, checks which of the five standard sizes exist, and lets you save each one as a JPG.
The largest public copy is 1280×720. Creators are asked to upload thumbnails at up to 3840×2160, but YouTube scales them down before publishing, so that original file is not available to anyone but the channel. Some videos, especially older or low-resolution ones, lack the 1280×720 and 640×480 copies entirely; the smaller sizes are normally there for any public video.
A thumbnail is the creator's work. Use what you download for reference, research or with the creator's permission, and give credit where you show it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail?
Copy the video's link from the address bar or the Share button, paste it into the box above, and press Get thumbnails. Every available size appears with its own Download button. Links from youtube.com, youtu.be, Shorts, embeds and live streams all work, and so does a bare 11-character video ID.
What sizes are available?
YouTube publishes each thumbnail at up to five sizes: 1280×720 (maximum resolution), 640×480 (standard definition), 480×360 (high quality), 320×180 (medium quality) and 120×90 (default). The 4:3 sizes have black bars above and below a 16:9 picture.
Why is the HD (1280×720) version missing?
YouTube does not create the 1280×720 or 640×480 copies for every video, and older or low-resolution uploads often have only the smaller sizes. When a size does not exist, it is marked as not available rather than showing YouTube's grey placeholder.
Can I get the original full-size thumbnail?
No. Creators can upload thumbnails as large as 3840×2160, but YouTube only publishes them at the sizes listed here, with 1280×720 the largest. No downloader can get a bigger copy from YouTube.
Am I allowed to use a downloaded thumbnail?
A thumbnail belongs to the person who made it, just like the video. Saving one to look at, to reference in your own notes, or to check how a thumbnail looks is generally fine. Reusing it in your own video, website or product needs the creator's permission unless your use is covered by an exception such as fair use. This is not legal advice.
Does this send my link anywhere?
The link is read in your browser to find the video ID. The images then load directly from YouTube's image server, i.ytimg.com, the same place youtube.com loads them from. Nothing is sent to or stored on DailyUtils.