Support: YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
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Common questions
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail?
Copy the video's link from the Share button, paste it into the box above, and press Download next to the size you want. The thumbnail saves as a JPG named after the video.
How do I get a YouTube thumbnail in HD?
HD, 1280 × 720, is listed first whenever the video has it. YouTube only keeps an HD thumbnail for some videos, so older or low-resolution ones may top out at 480 × 360. No tool can download a size YouTube does not keep.
What sizes does YouTube keep for a thumbnail?
YouTube's Data API documentation lists 120 × 90, 320 × 180 and 480 × 360 for every video, plus 640 × 480 and 1280 × 720 for some. This tool finds every one that exists for the video and shows the exact file size of each.
Why do some sizes have black bars?
The 640 × 480, 480 × 360 and 120 × 90 sizes are the older 4:3 shape. For a widescreen video YouTube fills the extra space with black bars at the top and bottom. The HD 1280 × 720 and 320 × 180 sizes are 16:9 and have no bars.
Can I download the thumbnail of a YouTube Short?
Yes. Paste the Short's link, the one containing /shorts/, and the thumbnails appear in the same sizes as any other video. YouTube serves them in landscape sizes, so the tall picture usually sits in the middle with a darkened, blurred copy of itself filling the sides.
Can I use someone else's YouTube thumbnail?
A thumbnail belongs to the channel that made it, and downloading one does not give you any rights to it. Use thumbnails of your own videos freely. For someone else's, keep to personal reference, or ask the owner before reusing it, and never upload it as your own.
What size should my own YouTube thumbnail be?
YouTube's thumbnail help page asks for a 16:9 JPG or PNG at least 640 pixels wide, recommends 3840 × 2160 for videos, and needs a verified account to upload one. Check that page for the current rules, as YouTube changes them from time to time.
Why is the downloaded thumbnail smaller than what I uploaded?
Whatever size was uploaded, YouTube's public image server offers thumbnails at up to 1280 × 720. That is the largest size any thumbnail downloader can get.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Copy the link in the YouTube app, paste it here in Safari or Chrome, and tap Download. On iPhone the JPG goes to Downloads in the Files app; open it and tap Share, then Save Image, to add it to Photos.
Can I download the thumbnail of a private or deleted video?
No. Only thumbnails YouTube still shows publicly can be downloaded. If a video's thumbnail was changed recently, YouTube's image server can keep showing the old picture for up to about two hours.
Is this made by YouTube?
No. YouTube is a trademark of Google LLC. This tool is not created, endorsed by, or affiliated with YouTube or Google.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free, with no sign-up and no limit on use.