Free tool · no sign-up

YouTube thumbnail downloader

Paste a video or Shorts link to get its thumbnail in every size YouTube publishes. The images come straight from YouTube to your browser.

Get a thumbnail

Every size YouTube makes

NameSizeNotes
HD (maxresdefault)1280 × 72016:9. Only exists when the uploader provided a large enough image
SD (sddefault)640 × 4804:3 with black bars above and below a 16:9 picture
High (hqdefault)480 × 3604:3 with bars; always available
Medium (mqdefault)320 × 18016:9, no bars
Small (default)120 × 904:3 with bars

What to do with a competitor's thumbnail

Save the top thumbnails in your niche, then put your own next to them in the feed preview to see whether yours stands out, or run them through the thumbnail checker to see why theirs work: contrast, colour and how bold they stay at feed size.

FAQ

Why is there no HD version?

YouTube only creates the 1280 × 720 version when the uploader's image or video is large enough. Older videos often stop at 480 × 360.

Does it work for Shorts?

Yes. Paste a youtube.com/shorts/… link. YouTube stores Shorts thumbnails at the same sizes; the picture is a horizontal crop of the vertical cover.

Is anything uploaded or stored?

No. Your browser asks YouTube for the images directly; Clickframe's servers never see the link.

Can I reuse someone else's thumbnail?

A thumbnail is the creator's work. Use it as reference or ask for permission before reusing it.

Make yours better than theirs

Free AI concepts, an AI image, text that's spelled right, and a 1280×720 export.

Try Clickframe free