YouTube Thumbnail Grabber
Paste a YouTube link or video ID to see every public thumbnail the video has, from HD 1280 × 720 down to the tiny 120 × 90 preview. Copy any image URL, open it full size or download it in one click.
Paste a link to see the thumbnails: HD 1280 × 720, SD 640 × 480, HQ 480 × 360, MQ 320 × 180 and the 120 × 90 default.
How to use the YouTube Thumbnail Grabber
- Copy the video link from YouTube: the address bar, the Share button or a Shorts page all work.
- Paste it into the box and press Grab thumbnails (pasting also grabs automatically).
- Check the preview grid: each card shows the size and whether that version exists for this video.
- Download, open or copy the size you need. The HD 1280 × 720 version is best for blog posts and slides.
- Switch to WebP if you want smaller files for a website.
YouTube thumbnail sizes and URLs
Every public YouTube video has a set of thumbnail images on YouTube's image server, i.ytimg.com. The file name tells you the size, and the address always follows the same pattern: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/FILE.jpg (or /vi_webp/VIDEO_ID/FILE.webp for WebP).
| File name | Size (px) | Aspect ratio | Always available? | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| maxresdefault | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 | Only for videos uploaded in 720p or higher | Blog posts, slides, social cards |
| sddefault | 640 × 480 | 4:3 (letterboxed) | Most videos | Medium previews |
| hqdefault | 480 × 360 | 4:3 (letterboxed) | Yes | Reliable fallback for any video |
| mqdefault | 320 × 180 | 16:9 | Yes | Lists and small cards |
| default | 120 × 90 | 4:3 (letterboxed) | Yes | Tiny icons |
When a size does not exist, YouTube answers with a grey 120 × 90 placeholder instead of the real picture. This tool spots that placeholder and labels the card "Not available" so you do not download a blank image by mistake.
Where to find the video ID
The video ID is the 11-character code made of letters, numbers, dashes and underscores that identifies a video. You can paste any of these link styles and the tool pulls the ID out for you:
| Link type | Example |
|---|---|
| Normal watch link | youtube.com/watch?v=aBcDeFgHiJ0&t=42s |
| Share link | youtu.be/aBcDeFgHiJ0?si=… |
| Shorts | youtube.com/shorts/aBcDeFgHiJ0 |
| Embed | youtube.com/embed/aBcDeFgHiJ0 or youtube-nocookie.com/embed/… |
| Live stream | youtube.com/live/aBcDeFgHiJ0 |
| Mobile and Music | m.youtube.com/watch?v=…, music.youtube.com/watch?v=… |
Tips for using thumbnails
- For a sharp image in an article, choose HD; if it is missing, SD (640 × 480) is the next best but has black bars at the top and bottom, which you can remove with an image cropper.
- WebP versions are usually 25–35% smaller than the JPG at the same quality, which helps page speed.
- Creators can change a thumbnail at any time. The URL stays the same, but the picture behind it changes, so save a copy if you need a fixed version.
- Thumbnails are the creator's artwork. Ask for permission or link back to the video when you reuse one publicly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail?
Paste the video link into the box and press Grab thumbnails. Every available size appears as a card; press Download under the size you want. If your browser blocks the direct download, use Open full size and save the image from the new tab.
Why is the HD (maxresdefault) thumbnail missing?
YouTube only creates the 1280 × 720 maxresdefault image when the video was uploaded in at least 720p. Older or low-resolution videos only have the 640 × 480 SD and 480 × 360 HQ versions, so the tool marks HD as not available.
What sizes do YouTube thumbnails come in?
maxresdefault is 1280 × 720, sddefault is 640 × 480, hqdefault is 480 × 360, mqdefault is 320 × 180 and default is 120 × 90. The 4:3 sizes (SD, HQ and default) have black bars above and below a 16:9 picture.
Does it work with YouTube Shorts and live streams?
Yes. Links like youtube.com/shorts/ID, youtube.com/live/ID, youtu.be/ID, embed links and m.youtube.com links are all recognised, as is a plain 11-character video ID.
Is it legal to use a YouTube thumbnail?
Thumbnails are publicly viewable, but they belong to the creator who made them. Grabbing one for personal reference is common; publishing it elsewhere may need the creator's permission unless it is your own video or your use is covered by fair use in your country.
Is anything uploaded or tracked?
No. The link is read in your browser and the images load straight from YouTube's public image server. Your recent video IDs are stored only in this browser.