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YouTube Thumbnail Downloader

Save any YouTube video's thumbnail in Full HD (1280×720) and every smaller size, as JPG or WebP. Works with normal videos, Shorts and live streams.

About the YouTube Thumbnail Downloader

Every YouTube video has thumbnails stored in several sizes, plus three still frames taken from the video. The downloader finds them all from the video link, shows only the sizes that exist, and saves the one you pick straight to your device as JPG or WebP.

How to use it

1 Paste a YouTube video, Shorts or live link, or just the 11-character video ID.
2 Pick JPG or WebP, then choose a size. Full HD (1280×720) is the largest.
3 Press Download to save the image, or Copy link to paste its address somewhere else.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the HD thumbnail missing?

The 1280 × 720 "maxresdefault" image only exists when the uploader used an HD video or custom thumbnail. Use the next size down.

Can I download a YouTube thumbnail in 4K?

YouTube does not store thumbnails above 1280 × 720. Download the Full HD one and enlarge it 2× or 4× with the AI Image Upscaler for a sharper big version.

Does it work for Shorts?

Yes. Paste the Shorts link (youtube.com/shorts/…). Shorts thumbnails are stored at the same 16:9 sizes as normal videos.

What are the frames from the video?

YouTube automatically saves three small stills from the start, middle and end of every video. They are handy when you want a scene rather than the custom thumbnail.

Can I reuse someone else’s thumbnail?

Thumbnails are copyrighted by their creators. Use them for reference or with permission, not in your own videos.

What size should my own thumbnail be?

1280 × 720 pixels (16:9), under 2 MB, as JPG, PNG, or GIF.

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