A video's thumbnail is the first thing anyone sees, so it's often the image you want when you're writing about the video, making a playlist cover, keeping a backup of your own uploads or studying what makes a thumbnail work. YouTube doesn't offer a download button for it, but our free Thumbnail Downloader does.
Step 1: Copy the video link
On a computer, copy the address from your browser bar while the video is open. In the YouTube app, tap Share, then Copy link. Any link format works, including youtu.be short links, links with a timestamp, and links from inside a playlist.
Step 2: Paste it into the tool
Open the Thumbnail Downloader, paste the link (or press the Paste button inside the box) and press Get thumbnail.
You'll see the video's title and a grid of every thumbnail size YouTube provides for it, largest first.
Step 3: Pick a size and download
Each card shows the size name and its exact dimensions. Press Download on the one you want and it saves straight to your device as a JPG, named after the video so it's easy to find later.
Which size should I choose?
YouTube stores up to five versions of each thumbnail:
| Size | Dimensions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Max resolution | 1280×720 | Blog headers, presentations, anything full-screen |
| Standard | 640×480 | Medium-sized images in articles |
| High | 480×360 | Previews and social posts |
| Medium | 320×180 | Small cards and lists |
| Default | 120×90 | Tiny icons |
Max resolution is the one most people want. It's the only size that's full HD and in the same 16:9 shape as the video. Note that Standard, High and Default are 4:3, so they have black bars at the top and bottom.
Tip: If you don't see a Max resolution option, the creator uploaded a smaller image or the video is old. YouTube only creates the 1280×720 version when the original upload is big enough. Standard is the next best choice.
Just want to look at it?
If you only want to see a thumbnail up close, for example to read small text or check the design, use the Thumbnail Viewer. It shows one size at a time at full width, with buttons to switch between resolutions and compare them.
Using thumbnails responsibly
A thumbnail belongs to whoever made the video. Downloading it to look at, to back up your own work or to study design is fine. If you want to publish it, for example in an article about the video, it's good practice to credit and link to the original, and for anything commercial you should ask the creator first.
Common questions
The download opened the image instead of saving it. Some mobile browsers do this. Press and hold the image, then choose Save image or Download image.
Can I get a 4K thumbnail? YouTube's largest thumbnail size is 1280×720. Anything advertised as larger has been upscaled.
Does this work for Shorts? Yes, but Shorts thumbnails have the vertical image in the middle of a wide frame. Our Shorts Thumbnail Downloader also gives you a properly cropped vertical version. See our Shorts thumbnail guide for details.
Try it now with the Thumbnail Downloader.
