Where YouTube keeps thumbnails
Every YouTube video has its thumbnail stored at a public address built from its 11-character video ID, in several sizes. This tool reads the ID from any kind of YouTube link (watch, youtu.be, Shorts, embed or live) and shows each size.
Example: for https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ the ID is dQw4w9WgXcQ, so the HD thumbnail is at i.ytimg.com/vi/dQw4w9WgXcQ/maxresdefault.jpg. The 640 × 480 and 480 × 360 versions have black bars above and below, because YouTube letterboxes 16:9 images into 4:3.
Using thumbnails fairly
A thumbnail belongs to whoever made it. Downloading is fine for your own videos (recovering a lost original), for study and comparison, or with permission. Don't re-upload someone else's thumbnail as your own. To test your own design against real feeds, try the YouTube thumbnail preview; for sizes, see the YouTube thumbnail size guide.
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) version. If HD is missing, the video was uploaded below 720p; use the 640 × 480 version.
Can I get a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?
Yes. Paste the youtube.com/shorts/ link; Shorts use the same thumbnail addresses as regular videos.
Is it legal to download YouTube thumbnails?
Viewing and saving them is common, but thumbnails are copyrighted by their creators. Use them for your own videos, reference or with permission, and don't publish others' thumbnails as your own.
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