YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
Paste any YouTube video or Shorts link and download its thumbnail in full resolution. No signup, no watermark.
Example: every size for one video
For youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ, YouTube serves this resolution ladder — the tool shows whichever sizes a given video actually has:
| Size | Resolution | File |
|---|---|---|
| Max resolution | 1280×720 | maxresdefault.jpg |
| Standard | 640×480 | sddefault.jpg |
| High | 480×360 | hqdefault.jpg |
| Medium | 320×180 | mqdefault.jpg |
| Default | 120×90 | default.jpg |
Which size should I use?
Max resolution (1280×720) is what you want for re-uploading, design references, or A/B comparing your thumbnail against a competitor's at full quality. The smaller sizes are what viewers actually see in feeds — the Medium (320×180) size is roughly how your thumbnail renders in the sidebar and on mobile, so it's the honest test of whether your text is still legible at the size that matters. Everything runs in your browser; the link you paste is never uploaded or logged.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail in HD?
Paste the video URL above and the maximum-resolution thumbnail (1280×720) appears first when the creator uploaded one. Click Download to save the full-size JPG. If a video has no HD upload, the next-largest size is shown automatically.
Why is the HD (maxres) thumbnail missing for some videos?
YouTube only generates the 1280×720 maxresdefault image for videos uploaded at 720p or higher. Older or low-resolution uploads top out at 640×480, so this tool only shows the sizes that actually exist for that video.
Does this work for YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste any Shorts link (youtube.com/shorts/…) or a normal watch link — both resolve to the same video and the same thumbnail set.
Is it legal to download a thumbnail?
Thumbnails are copyrighted by their creator. Downloading for reference, fair-use commentary, or your own analysis is generally fine; republishing someone else’s thumbnail as your own is not. Use your own judgment.
Do you store the videos or links I paste?
No. The URL is parsed in your browser to build the image links. Nothing you paste is logged or uploaded.
More free tools
YouTube Shorts vs Long-form Revenue Calculator
Enter your niche, average views per video, and upload frequency — see exactly how much ad revenue Shorts vs long-form generates per video and per month, and how many Shorts it takes to match one long-form video.
YouTube Sponsorship Rate Estimator
Enter your niche, average views per video, and engagement rate — see estimated brand deal rates at low/mid/high tiers using verified influencer market data. Know your rate before you negotiate.
YouTube Money Calculator
Honest earnings ranges by niche, with separate Shorts rates.