Paste a YouTube link and grab its thumbnail in every size YouTube stores, up to 1280x720 HD. Everything runs in your browser.
How it works
Every YouTube video's thumbnails live at predictable image URLs. The tool reads the video ID out of whatever link you paste, previews all five stored sizes, marks the ones this video doesn't have, and downloads the file you pick straight from YouTube's image servers to your device.
Nothing touches our servers: parsing, previewing, and downloading all happen in your browser. Thumbnails remain the creator's work; download responsibly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail?
Paste the video link (any form works: youtube.com/watch?v=..., youtu.be/..., Shorts links, or just the 11-character video ID) and the thumbnail appears in every size YouTube stores, up to 1280x720 HD. Click Download on the size you want.
What thumbnail sizes does YouTube have?
Five standard files per video: 1280x720 (maxresdefault), 640x480 (sddefault), 480x360 (hqdefault), 320x180 (mqdefault), and 120x90 (default). The two largest only exist for videos uploaded with an HD thumbnail, which is why they sometimes show as unavailable.
Why is the HD (1280x720) thumbnail missing for some videos?
YouTube only generates maxresdefault when the uploader provided a high-resolution custom thumbnail. Older or auto-thumbnailed videos stop at 480x360, and the tool marks the missing sizes honestly rather than showing a broken image.
Is it legal to download YouTube thumbnails?
The files are publicly served by YouTube, but the artwork belongs to the video's creator. Downloading for reference, backup of your own videos, or fair-use commentary is what this tool is for; reusing someone else's thumbnail as your own needs their permission.
Does this work for Shorts?
Yes, paste the Shorts link and the same thumbnail set appears (Shorts thumbnails are stored the same way).
Is anything uploaded or logged?
No. The link is parsed in your browser and the images come straight from YouTube's image servers to you; nothing passes through ours. Free, no signup, no watermark.