How to download a YouTube thumbnail
- Copy the video link from the YouTube app or browser (Share → Copy link).
- Paste it into the box. Regular videos, Shorts, live streams, embed links and youtu.be short links all work.
- Every available size appears instantly. Click Download on the one you want.
YouTube thumbnail sizes
| Name | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| maxresdefault | 1280 × 720 | HD — available when the creator uploaded a custom HD thumbnail or the video is HD |
| sddefault | 640 × 480 | Standard definition (4:3 with black bars) |
| hqdefault | 480 × 360 | Always available |
| mqdefault | 320 × 180 | Medium, 16:9 |
| default | 120 × 90 | Small preview |
If a size isn’t available for a video, it’s greyed out. Older or low-resolution videos often don’t have a 1280×720 version.
Making your own thumbnails
YouTube recommends uploading custom thumbnails at 1280 × 720 pixels (16:9), under 2 MB, as JPG or PNG. Studying top-performing thumbnails in your niche is a great way to learn what gets clicks: big readable text (3–5 words), a clear face with emotion, high contrast and one focal point. Check your own thumbnail at small sizes too — most people see it on a phone.
Copyright and fair use
Thumbnails belong to the video creator. Downloading one for personal reference, research, commentary or to link to the video is generally fine, but don’t re-upload someone else’s thumbnail as your own, use it to promote a different video, or use it commercially without permission. When you feature another creator’s video, credit and link to it.
Need a thumbnail at an exact size? Use the image resizer or image cropper.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the HD thumbnail of a YouTube video?
Paste the link and download the “Max resolution (1280×720)” version. If it’s greyed out, the video has no HD thumbnail.
Does it work with YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste a youtube.com/shorts/ link.
Is downloading YouTube thumbnails legal?
Downloading for personal reference is generally fine, but thumbnails are copyrighted by the creator — don’t reuse them without permission.
Why did the download open in a new tab?
Some browsers block direct downloads from YouTube’s image server. Right-click the image and choose “Save image as”.