YouTube Thumbnail Downloader
Free online YouTube thumbnail grabber. Extract, convert to PNG/WebP, and download all resolutions in 1 click.
YouTube Thumbnail Downloader4K & 1080p
Download original high-definition thumbnails & storyboard frames in 1 click.
Maximum Resolution (1080p / 4K)
All Available Resolutions & Formats
Choose the exact dimension for blogs, thumbnails, social media posts, or wallpapers.
Ultra HD (1080p / 4K)
Original crystal-clear YouTube thumbnail uploaded by creator
Standard Definition (720p)
High quality standard fallback format
High Quality (480p)
Universal format guaranteed on 100% of all YouTube videos
Medium Quality (360p)
Compact widescreen thumbnail preview
Small Thumbnail (120p)
Lightweight tiny thumbnail preview
Video Timeline Storyboard Frames
YouTube automatically captures snapshot stills from the beginning, middle, and end of the video.
Timeline Start (0%)
Opening snapshot of the video
Timeline Mid (50%)
Middle snapshot of the video
Timeline End (100%)
Closing snapshot of the video
Player Thumbnail
Embedded player initial frame
Try with Popular Sample Videos
Click any demo video below to test instant thumbnail extraction without copying a link.
Official YouTube Thumbnail Size & Specifications (2026 Guidelines)
When designing or analyzing thumbnails for YouTube videos, adhering to YouTube’s official creator specifications ensures your graphics look crisp across smartphones, tablets, desktop monitors, and 4K smart TVs.
| Quality Name | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Filename CDN | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra HD (1080p) | 1920 × 1080 | 16:9 | maxresdefault.jpg | 4K TVs, Retina displays & desktop hero banners |
| Standard Definition | 640 × 480 | 4:3 | sddefault.jpg | Mobile displays & embed player previews |
| High Quality (HQ) | 480 × 360 | 4:3 | hqdefault.jpg | Universal fallback present on every video |
| Medium Quality (MQ) | 320 × 180 | 16:9 | mqdefault.jpg | Search result feeds & related videos sidebar |
| Small (Default) | 120 × 90 | 4:3 | default.jpg | Email notifications & compact playlist list |
🎯Minimum Width: 640px
YouTube requires custom thumbnails to have a minimum width of 640 pixels to avoid pixelation on mobile screens.
⚖️File Size Under 2MB
YouTube rejects thumbnail uploads over 2MB. Use JPG or optimized WebP if your PNG file exceeds the 2MB boundary.
📐Ideal 16:9 Widescreen
Always use a 16:9 aspect ratio (1280×720 or 1920×1080) to prevent YouTube from introducing black pillarboxes on borders.
How to Download YouTube Thumbnails in 3 Quick Steps
- Copy the Video URL: Open YouTube in your browser or app, navigate to the desired video or Shorts clip, and copy its link.
- Paste into ToolsWallet: Paste the URL in the box above or click the "Paste" button. The thumbnails load immediately without needing to submit.
- Choose Quality & Download: Pick between 1080p Ultra HD, 720p, or 480p. Click "Download HD (JPG)", convert to PNG/WebP, or download all files bundled in a .ZIP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I download a YouTube thumbnail in full 1080p HD quality?
Simply paste the link of any YouTube video, Shorts, or live stream into the input bar above. Our extractor will automatically grab the maximum resolution "maxresdefault.jpg" (1920×1080). Then click "Download HD (JPG)" or "Download as PNG" to save it directly to your device.
Why is the 1080p Ultra HD thumbnail not available for some videos?
YouTube only generates the 1080p (maxresdefault) image if the creator uploaded a custom thumbnail that is at least 1280×720 or 1920×1080 resolution, or uploaded in 1080p. If a video is older or was uploaded at a lower resolution, YouTube returns a blank placeholder. Our tool automatically detects this and highlights the 720p (SD) or 480p (HQ) version as the best alternative.
Can I download thumbnails from YouTube Shorts videos?
Yes! Our tool fully supports YouTube Shorts URLs (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID). Just paste the Shorts link or share link from your phone, and the thumbnail will be extracted instantly.
Can I convert and save YouTube thumbnails as PNG or WebP?
Yes. While YouTube natively serves thumbnails as JPEG (.jpg), our tool features a built-in canvas converter that transforms any thumbnail into lossless PNG or lightweight modern WebP format with 1 click.
Is it legal to download and use YouTube thumbnails?
Yes, downloading YouTube thumbnails for personal reference, research, design inspiration, educational study, or fair use commentary is widely accepted. However, reusing someone else's exact thumbnail for your own commercial YouTube video without permission may violate copyright laws.
Can I copy the thumbnail image directly to my clipboard without downloading?
Yes! Click the "Copy Image to Clipboard" button in the hero card. The full-resolution image will be placed into your system clipboard, ready to paste immediately into Photoshop, Canva, Figma, Discord, Slack, or Google Docs with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V).