What is a YouTube thumbnail downloader?
A thumbnail downloader saves the preview image of a YouTube video or Short. YouTube stores each thumbnail in several sizes, from a small 120×90 image up to 1280×720 HD, but there's no button on YouTube to download any of them.
Paste a link and every size YouTube has for that video appears, with a download button and a direct link for each. Creators use it to check how their own thumbnail looks at different sizes, keep a copy of artwork they've lost, or collect references for a redesign. Thumbnails belong to the video's creator, so use other people's for reference, mockups or commentary, and ask before reusing them publicly.
How to use the Thumbnail Downloader
1.Copy the video link
Copy the link to a video or Short from the address bar or the Share button.
2.Paste the link
Paste it above and press Get thumbnails. All available sizes appear straight away.
3.Download
Press Download on the size you want to save the image, or copy its direct link.
Example: the sizes for one video
A video uploaded in HD with a custom thumbnail usually has all of these sizes available.
- HD (maxresdefault)
- 1280 × 720
- Standard (sddefault)
- 640 × 480
- High (hqdefault)
- 480 × 360
- Medium (mqdefault)
- 320 × 180
- Default
- 120 × 90
An older video uploaded below HD shows 640 × 480 as its largest size, because the HD copy was never created.
Thumbnail sizes
YouTube keeps several copies of each thumbnail. The HD version (1280×720) only exists if the video was uploaded in HD or the creator uploaded a custom thumbnail at that size, so some videos only go up to 640×480.
Thumbnails belong to the creator. Saving one for reference, a presentation or a design mockup is common, but ask the creator before reusing it publicly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail in HD?
Paste the video link above and press Download on the HD (1280×720) option. If HD isn't available, the largest size YouTube has is 640×480.
Does it work for YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste a Shorts link (youtube.com/shorts/…) and the thumbnails load the same way.
Why is the HD thumbnail not available?
YouTube only creates the HD thumbnail for videos uploaded in HD or with a custom HD thumbnail. Older and low-resolution videos don't have one.
Is it free?
Yes, with no sign-up and no limit on how many thumbnails you download.
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