How to download a YouTube thumbnail in full size
Last updated 19 October 2026
Every YouTube video has a thumbnail, the image you see before you press play. YouTube stores it at fixed addresses in several sizes, so you can save it in full size without any software. Here’s how, and what to know about the sizes.
1. Copy the video’s link
- In the YouTube app: tap Share under the video, then Copy link. On a Short, the Share arrow is on the right.
- In a browser: copy the address from the address bar.
All of these forms work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD3fGh1jK, the full linkhttps://youtu.be/aBcD3fGh1jK, the short link the app copieshttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/aBcD3fGh1jK, for a Shorthttps://www.youtube.com/live/aBcD3fGh1jK, for a live stream or its replay
2. Paste it into the thumbnail downloader
Open the thumbnail downloader and paste the link. The thumbnail appears straight away in every size YouTube has for that video, each with its exact dimensions.
3. Pick a size and save it
Tap Download under the size you want. The image is saved as a JPEG named after the video and its size, such as youtube-aBcD3fGh1jK-1280x720.jpg.
| In the downloader | Size | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Largest | 1280×720 | 16:9 |
| Standard | 640×480 | 4:3 |
| High | 480×360 | 4:3 |
| Medium | 320×180 | 16:9 |
Why is the largest size missing?
YouTube only makes the 1280×720 thumbnail for some videos, mostly ones uploaded in high resolution. For the others, asking for it returns a small grey placeholder, so the downloader leaves that size out. The next size down is then the largest there is.
Why do some sizes have black bars?
The 640×480 and 480×360 sizes are 4:3, a shape from YouTube’s early days. A widescreen thumbnail is fitted inside them with black bars above and below. The 1280×720 and 320×180 sizes are 16:9 and have none.
The addresses behind it
You can also open the images yourself. Every thumbnail lives at https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ followed by the video’s ID, the 11-character code in its link, and a file name:
maxresdefault.jpgfor 1280×720sddefault.jpgfor 640×480hqdefault.jpgfor 480×360mqdefault.jpgfor 320×180
So the largest thumbnail of the example above is at https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aBcD3fGh1jK/maxresdefault.jpg. Open it in your browser and save the image. The downloader does the same, and checks which sizes exist for you.
Saving it on your phone
- iPhone and iPad: the image goes to the Downloads folder in the Files app. Open it, tap Share, then Save Image to add it to Photos.
- Android: it’s in your Downloads folder, and in Google Photos or your Gallery under Downloads.
TikTok, Instagram and X covers
The same downloader saves the cover of a TikTok, an Instagram Reel or post, or a video on X: the still image you see before it plays. These sites keep one cover per post, so there’s one size to save. From YouTube, PocketClip saves thumbnails only, never videos.
Using a thumbnail
A thumbnail belongs to the person who made it, and is often designed as carefully as the video. It’s fine to save one for reference, or for a video of your own. Don’t reuse someone else’s thumbnail as yours, and ask before using it anywhere public.