YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
Download YouTube thumbnails in all sizes: maxresdefault (1280×720), sddefault, hqdefault, and more. Get YouTube video thumbnails, channel banners, and profile pictures in JPG or WebP format.
Last updated: January 2026 • Direct extraction from YouTube
Key Takeaways: YouTube Thumbnail Size & Download
NoteLM.ai|YouTube Thumbnail DownloaderNo Video Loaded
Paste a YouTube URL above to extract thumbnails
Ready to Download
Enter a YouTube URL above to get all available thumbnails.
How to Download YouTube Thumbnails
Follow these simple steps to download any YouTube thumbnail in your preferred size and format.
Copy YouTube URL
Copy the video URL from YouTube. Works with regular videos, Shorts, and live streams.
Paste & Extract
Paste the URL into our YouTube thumbnail grabber and click "Get Thumbnails" to extract all sizes.
Preview Thumbnails
Browse all available thumbnail sizes and resolutions. Filter by format (JPG/WebP) or resolution.
Download or Copy
Download the thumbnail, copy the direct URL, or copy the image to your clipboard.
Download Any YouTube Thumbnail Size & Resolution
Get the exact thumbnail dimensions you need - from 120×90 to HD 1280×720.
All Thumbnail Sizes
Download YouTube thumbnails in every available size: maxresdefault (1280×720), sddefault (640×480), hqdefault (480×360), mqdefault (320×180), and default (120×90).
Perfect Dimensions
Get exact thumbnail dimensions for any use case. YouTube thumbnails use a 16:9 aspect ratio, and we show the precise pixel dimensions for each resolution option.
Multiple Formats
Download in JPG for maximum compatibility or WebP for smaller file sizes. Both formats maintain the original resolution and quality.
Resolution Checker
We verify which thumbnail resolutions are actually available. Not all videos have HD (maxresdefault) - we show you exactly what's accessible.
Instant Preview
Preview all thumbnail sizes and resolutions before downloading. Compare different versions to find the perfect fit for your needs.
100% Original Quality
Direct extraction from YouTube servers. Get the exact same thumbnail files that creators upload, without any compression.
Complete YouTube Thumbnail Size Chart 2026
All YouTube thumbnail dimensions, aspect ratios, and measurements in one place.
📊 YouTube Thumbnail Size Comparison Table
| Thumbnail Name | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Quality | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| maxresdefault | 1280×720 | 16:9 | HD | Custom thumbnails only |
| hq720 | 1280×720 | 16:9 | HD | HD videos |
| sddefault | 640×480 | 4:3 | SD | Most videos |
| hqdefault | 480×360 | 4:3 | HQ | Always available |
| mqdefault | 320×180 | 16:9 | MQ | Always available |
| default | 120×90 | 4:3 | Low | Always available |
🎯 YouTube Thumbnail Aspect Ratio
The standard YouTube thumbnail aspect ratio is 16:9, matching video dimensions. This is used for maxresdefault, hq720, and mqdefault sizes.
Older thumbnail sizes (sddefault, hqdefault, default) use a 4:3 aspect ratio from earlier YouTube versions.
Pro tip: Always upload custom thumbnails in 1280×720 (16:9) for optimal display across all devices and placements.
📏 YouTube Channel Image Sizes
What is a YouTube Thumbnail?
Understanding YouTube thumbnails and why they matter for video performance.
A YouTube thumbnail is the preview image that represents a video before viewers click on it. It's the first visual impression viewers get and significantly impacts click-through rates.
YouTube automatically generates thumbnails from video frames, but creators can upload custom thumbnails in the recommended 1280×720 pixel size (16:9 aspect ratio) for best results.
Each video has multiple thumbnail versions at different resolutions, from the tiny 120×90 default to the full HD 1280×720 maxresdefault. These different sizes are used across YouTube's interface on various devices.
📊 YouTube Thumbnail Quick Facts
- •90% of best-performing videos have custom thumbnails
- •Ideal file size: under 2MB for fast loading
- •Supported formats: JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP (JPG most common)
- •YouTube creates 5+ size variants automatically
- •Older videos may lack HD (maxresdefault) thumbnails
Why Download YouTube Thumbnails?
Common reasons people use our YouTube thumbnail grabber tool.
Blog Posts & Articles
Embed YouTube thumbnails in blog posts when reviewing or discussing videos. Download the exact size you need for your content management system.
Presentations & Reports
Include video thumbnails in presentations, research reports, or documentation. HD thumbnails (1280×720) work best for professional slides.
Social Media Sharing
Share video thumbnails on social media when linking to YouTube videos. Custom posts with thumbnails get more engagement than plain links.
Thumbnail Inspiration
Analyze successful YouTube thumbnails for design inspiration. Study what works in your niche to create better thumbnails for your own videos.
Video Archives
Archive thumbnails from videos that may be removed. Keep visual records of videos for research, documentation, or personal reference.
App Development
Access direct thumbnail URLs for apps and websites that display YouTube content. Use our API-like tool to get thumbnails programmatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about YouTube thumbnail sizes, dimensions, and downloading.
What is a YouTube thumbnail?
A YouTube thumbnail is the preview image that represents a video before viewers click on it. It's displayed in search results, suggested videos, and channel pages. Custom thumbnails (1280×720 pixels) typically get more clicks than auto-generated ones. YouTube creates multiple thumbnail sizes automatically from the original for different display contexts.
What is the YouTube thumbnail size?
The recommended YouTube thumbnail size is 1280×720 pixels (HD resolution) with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This is the "maxresdefault" size. YouTube also generates smaller versions: sddefault (640×480), hqdefault (480×360), mqdefault (320×180), and default (120×90). Our downloader lets you grab all available sizes.
What YouTube thumbnail sizes can I download?
You can download thumbnails in all available YouTube thumbnail sizes: maxresdefault (1280×720 - HD), sddefault (640×480 - SD), hqdefault (480×360 - HQ), mqdefault (320×180 - MQ), and default (120×90). We also provide video frame snapshots at various resolutions.
What are the standard YouTube thumbnail dimensions?
Standard YouTube thumbnail dimensions are: 1280×720 pixels (maxresdefault/HD), 640×480 pixels (sddefault/SD), 480×360 pixels (hqdefault/HQ), 320×180 pixels (mqdefault/MQ), and 120×90 pixels (default). The HD size is best for quality, while smaller sizes are used for search results and mobile displays.
What is the YouTube thumbnail aspect ratio?
The YouTube thumbnail aspect ratio is primarily 16:9 for modern sizes like maxresdefault (1280×720) and mqdefault (320×180). Some legacy sizes use 4:3 ratio, including hqdefault (480×360) and sddefault (640×480). Always use 16:9 when creating custom thumbnails for best display.
What are the YouTube thumbnail measurements in pixels?
YouTube thumbnail measurements in pixels: maxresdefault = 1280×720px, hq720 = 1280×720px, sddefault = 640×480px, hqdefault = 480×360px, mqdefault = 320×180px, default = 120×90px. The 1280×720 measurement is the highest quality available from YouTube's thumbnail system.
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail?
To download a YouTube thumbnail: 1) Copy the video URL from YouTube, 2) Paste it into our thumbnail downloader above, 3) Click "Get Thumbnails", 4) Preview all available sizes, 5) Click the download button on your preferred thumbnail. You can download in JPG or WebP format.
How do I get a thumbnail from YouTube?
Getting a thumbnail from YouTube is easy with our grabber tool. Simply paste any YouTube video URL, and we'll extract all available thumbnail sizes automatically. You can then preview each size, copy the direct URL, copy the image to clipboard, or download the file directly.
Why is the maxresdefault thumbnail not available?
The maxresdefault (1280×720) thumbnail may not be available because: 1) The video was uploaded before YouTube supported HD thumbnails, 2) The original video resolution is lower than 720p, 3) The creator didn't upload a custom thumbnail. In these cases, use the next best available size like sddefault or hqdefault.
What thumbnail formats are available for download?
YouTube thumbnails are available in JPG and WebP formats. JPG offers maximum compatibility with all devices and software. WebP provides better compression (smaller file size) while maintaining quality - ideal for web use. Both formats are available at all resolution sizes.
Can I download YouTube channel banners and profile pictures?
Yes! Our YouTube thumbnail downloader also extracts channel images. Switch to the "Channel" tab to download the channel avatar (profile picture), banner image, TV banner, and mobile banner. Both cropped and uncropped versions are available when the channel has them set.
What is the YouTube profile picture size?
YouTube profile picture (channel avatar) size is 800×800 pixels at maximum resolution. The image appears circular when displayed but is stored as a square. Our tool can download channel avatars in their original size, plus uncropped versions that may be larger.
What is the YouTube banner image size?
YouTube banner image dimensions vary by device: Desktop shows 2560×423 pixels, tablet shows 1855×423 pixels, and mobile shows 1546×423 pixels. The recommended upload size is 2560×1440 pixels to ensure it displays correctly on all devices. We extract the highest available resolution.
What are frame thumbnails (sd1, hq1, mq1)?
Frame thumbnails are auto-generated screenshots from specific points in the video. YouTube creates three frames (numbered 1, 2, 3) at each resolution: sd1/sd2/sd3 (640×480), hq1/hq2/hq3 (480×360), mq1/mq2/mq3 (320×180), and 1/2/3 (120×90). These differ from the main cover thumbnail.
Is this YouTube thumbnail downloader free?
Yes! This YouTube thumbnail downloader is 100% free with no signup, no watermarks, and no download limits. Extract unlimited thumbnails from any public YouTube video, short, or live stream. We also support channel banners and profile pictures.
Can I download thumbnails from YouTube Shorts?
Yes, our YouTube thumbnail grabber works with YouTube Shorts. Just paste the Shorts URL and we'll extract all available thumbnail sizes. Shorts thumbnails follow the same size system as regular videos, though they may be displayed in 9:16 vertical aspect ratio on mobile.
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