YouTube thumbnail downloader
Paste a YouTube link to get the video's thumbnail in every size YouTube makes, from 1280 × 720 down to 320 × 180.
Covers any country Runs in your browser
How it works
Every YouTube video has its thumbnail stored at fixed addresses on YouTube’s image server, one for each size. The tool reads the 11-character video ID from your link and shows those images. Nothing is uploaded or stored, and the images come straight from YouTube.
The sizes
| Name | Size (pixels) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full HD (maxresdefault) | 1280 × 720 | Only exists when the video was uploaded in HD or a custom thumbnail was added |
| Standard (sddefault) | 640 × 480 | 4:3, with black bars on widescreen videos |
| High (hqdefault) | 480 × 360 | Always available |
| Medium (mqdefault) | 320 × 180 | 16:9, no bars |
If a size shows as not available, YouTube hasn’t made it for that video. Use the next size down.
Can I use someone else’s thumbnail?
Thumbnails belong to the person who made them. Using one to link to or review the video, or to check how your own thumbnail looks, is common. Reusing someone else’s thumbnail as your own, or in an advert, can break copyright law and YouTube’s rules, so ask the creator first.
Tips for your own thumbnails
- Upload at 1280 × 720 (16:9), under 2 MB, as JPG or PNG.
- Check that it still reads at the Medium size above; that’s close to how it appears in search on a phone.
- Keep text to a few large words, away from the bottom-right corner, where YouTube shows the video length.
Spotted a figure that's wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the source.