YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
Get the cover image of any YouTube video in every size YouTube keeps - from the 1280×720 HD version down to the tiny 120×90 icon - as JPG or WebP. Paste the link and download in one click.
- 1280×720 HD
- JPG · WebP
- Free, no sign-up
How to download a YouTube thumbnail
- Open the video on YouTube and copy its link from the address bar - or from the Share button. Links to Shorts and youtu.be short links work too.
- Paste the link above and press Get thumbnails. Every size YouTube has for that video appears, largest first.
- Press JPG or WebP under the size you want. The file downloads with the video ID and the dimensions in its name.
Thumbnail sizes YouTube keeps
YouTube stores up to five copies of a thumbnail. The HD one is only there for videos uploaded in HD or with a custom thumbnail; the three small ones exist for every video.
| File | Size | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| maxresdefault.jpg | 1280 × 720 | Blog posts, presentations, printing - the full-quality image |
| sddefault.jpg | 640 × 480 | Standard-definition copy with black bars for 4:3 |
| hqdefault.jpg | 480 × 360 | Always available; the classic 4:3 version |
| mqdefault.jpg | 320 × 180 | Small previews, chat messages |
| default.jpg | 120 × 90 | Icons and lists |
Every thumbnail lives at a predictable address: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/maxresdefault.jpg, with sddefault, hqdefault, mqdefault or default for the smaller ones and /vi_webp/…/….webp for the WebP copies. This tool checks which ones exist and gives you a real download instead of an image opening in a tab.
Save thumbnails straight from the player
With Skins for YouTube player, our free Chrome extension, a Thumbnail button sits next to the Share button under every video and opens this page with the video already filled in. The same extension adds a Screenshot button that saves the current frame as PNG, a Transcript button, automatic ad skipping, cinema mode, dark and true-black themes and 120+ player skins.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to download a YouTube thumbnail?
Downloading is fine - the image is served openly by YouTube. Using it is a different matter: the thumbnail belongs to the channel that made it, so ask before publishing it commercially, and credit the creator when you share it.
Why is there no 1280×720 thumbnail for my video?
YouTube creates the HD copy only for videos uploaded in HD or with a custom thumbnail. Older or low-resolution uploads have 480×360 as their largest size.
Does it work with YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste the Shorts link; the thumbnail is the same landscape image YouTube uses in search results, plus the vertical frames are cropped from it.
JPG or WebP - which should I take?
JPG opens everywhere. WebP is a smaller file at the same quality and works in every modern browser and editor; take it for websites.
Can I download the thumbnail on a phone?
Yes. The page works in any mobile browser; the download goes to your Files or Downloads folder.