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YouTube Thumbnail Downloader

Download any YouTube video thumbnail in full HD, SD, and all available resolutions - free, no watermark.

Reviewed by UpTube TeamUpdated July 15, 2026

To download a YouTube thumbnail, paste the video URL into the tool above and every available resolution — from the 1280×720 HD (maxresdefault) image down to the 120×90 default — appears instantly for one-click saving. It works with regular videos, Shorts, and live archives, entirely in your browser with no signup, watermark, or upload.

How to use the Thumbnail Downloader

1
Paste the video URL
Copy any YouTube video link (youtube.com/watch, youtu.be, or Shorts URL) and paste it into the input box.
2
Preview all resolutions
The tool instantly shows every available thumbnail size: Max HD (1280x720), SD (640x480), HQ (480x360), MQ (320x180), and default (120x90).
3
Download your size
Click the Download button under the resolution you need, or open the image in a new tab to save it manually.

About the Thumbnail Downloader

What it does

Every YouTube video has a set of thumbnail images hosted by YouTube in multiple resolutions - from a small 120x90 preview up to the full 1280x720 HD version (and sometimes higher). This free thumbnail downloader lets you grab any of them in one click. Just paste the video URL and every available resolution appears instantly, ready to preview and download.

Who uses it, and why

Creators use thumbnail downloads to study what works in their niche: analyzing color schemes, text placement, and facial expressions from top-performing videos. Designers use them as reference material, and teams use them to archive their own channel's thumbnail history before making changes.

How it works

This tool works entirely in your browser using YouTube's public image servers - nothing is uploaded, no account is needed, and there are no watermarks or limits. It works with regular videos, YouTube Shorts, and live stream archives.

Reference: YouTube Data API — thumbnails reference

Features

✓Full HD 1280x720 thumbnail download when available
✓All 5 resolution variants shown at once
✓Works with regular videos, Shorts, and live archives
✓100% browser-based - no upload, no signup
✓No watermarks, no download limits
✓Instant preview before downloading

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to download YouTube thumbnails?

Downloading a thumbnail for reference, analysis, or personal use is generally fine. However, thumbnails are the creator's copyrighted work - reusing one directly on your own video or commercial project without permission may infringe copyright. Use downloads for inspiration and study, not direct copying.

Why is the HD (maxresdefault) thumbnail missing for some videos?

YouTube only generates the 1280x720 maxresdefault image for videos uploaded in HD or when the creator uploaded a custom thumbnail. Older or low-resolution videos may only have the 640x480 SD version - the tool automatically shows you the highest quality that exists.

Does this work with YouTube Shorts?

Yes. Paste any Shorts URL (youtube.com/shorts/...) and the tool extracts the video ID and fetches its thumbnails the same way as regular videos.

Do you store the thumbnails I download?

No. The tool runs entirely in your browser and fetches images directly from YouTube's public image servers (i.ytimg.com). Nothing passes through or gets stored on our servers.

Can I download thumbnails in bulk?

Currently the tool processes one video at a time, showing all resolutions for that video. For bulk thumbnail analysis across a whole channel, try UpTube's AI channel analyzer which reviews your entire content library.