How do I download a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?

ThumbGrabber Pro fully supports YouTube Shorts. Simply copy the link of the Short (e.g., youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID), paste it into the input box above, and we will instantly generate the HD thumbnail for you.

What is the size of a YouTube thumbnail?

The standard YouTube thumbnail size is 1280x720 pixels (HD) with a 16:9 aspect ratio. ThumbGrabber allows you to download this 'Max Resolution' version, as well as smaller sizes like 640x480 (SD) and 480x360 (HQ).

Why can't I find the 4K thumbnail for some videos?

Not all videos have a 4K or MaxRes (1280x720) thumbnail. This usually happens if the video is very old or if the creator uploaded a low-resolution image originally. In these cases, we provide the highest quality available (usually HQ or SD).

Does this tool work on iPhone and Android?

Yes! This tool is a responsive web app. On iPhone, long-press the 'Download' button and select 'Save to Files' or 'Add to Photos'. On Android, the image downloads directly to your Gallery.

YouTube Thumbnail Downloader

Get high-quality thumbnails from any YouTube video in seconds. Supports 4K (MaxRes), HD, and HQ. Free & unlimited.

✅ YouTube Video✅ YouTube Shorts✅ Video ID

How to Download YouTube Thumbnails (Step-by-Step)

Copy Video Link

Open YouTube app or website, find the video or Short, click 'Share' and copy the link.

Paste URL

Paste the link into the ThumbGrabber Pro input box above and click 'Get Thumbnail'.

Download Image

Choose your preferred resolution (HD, 4K, or SD) and click the Download button.

YouTube Thumbnail Size & Dimensions Guide (2025)

Quality Name	Resolution	API Code	Best Used For
Max Resolution (4K)	1280 x 720 (or higher)	maxresdefault	Large displays, TV, Retouching
Standard HD	640 x 480	sddefault	Blog posts, Social sharing
High Quality (HQ)	480 x 360	hqdefault	Mobile previews, Email embeds
Medium Quality	320 x 180	mqdefault	Lists, Small widgets

Pro Tip: YouTube recommends a resolution of 1280x720 (with a minimum width of 640 pixels) for uploads. Aspect ratio should be 16:9.

Why ThumbGrabber Pro is the Best Choice

Supports All Formats

Unlike basic tools, we extract thumbnails from regular Videos, YouTube Shorts, and Live Streams. We generate all available sizes instantly.

4K MaxRes Extraction

We attempt to fetch the maxresdefault.jpg for every video. If a creator uploaded in high definition, we'll find it for you.

100% Legal & Safe

We access public image files directly from YouTube's servers. No account access needed, no malware, and completely secure SSL connection.

Mobile Optimized

Designed for creators on the go. Save thumbnails directly to your iPhone (Files app) or Android gallery with one tap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Downloading YouTube thumbnails is generally legal for personal reference, inspiration, or Fair Use purposes (like reaction videos, commentary, or criticism). However, the image copyright belongs to the video creator. You should not re-upload the thumbnail as your own on YouTube without permission.