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Free YouTube Thumbnail Downloader Online

Download YouTube video thumbnails in all available resolutions: Max Quality, HQ, MQ, SD, and Default sizes.

Last Updated: June 2026

What Are YouTube Thumbnails?

Every YouTube video has a cover image — its thumbnail — that appears in search results, playlists, and recommendations. These images are essential for video marketing and click-through rates. Creators invest significant effort crafting compelling thumbnails, and you can download them legally for personal reference, inspiration, research, or archiving.

Available Thumbnail Resolutions

YouTube stores thumbnails in multiple sizes for different use cases:

QualityFilenameResolution
Max Qualitymaxresdefault.jpg1280 × 720
SD Qualitysddefault.jpg640 × 480
High Qualityhqdefault.jpg480 × 360
Medium Qualitymqdefault.jpg320 × 180
Defaultdefault.jpg120 × 90

How to Download a YouTube Thumbnail

  1. Copy the YouTube video URL from your browser’s address bar (or copy just the 11-character video ID).
  2. Paste it into the input field above and click Get Thumbnails.
  3. Browse the previews — all available thumbnail sizes will be displayed.
  4. Click the Download link next to any quality to save it directly to your device.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free YouTube Thumbnail Downloader

Can I download thumbnails from private or unlisted videos?

No. This tool can only access thumbnails from public YouTube videos. Private and unlisted videos are not accessible via YouTube's public image servers.

Why does the Max Quality thumbnail sometimes not load?

Not all YouTube videos have a Max Quality (maxresdefault) thumbnail. This typically happens for older videos or those uploaded before YouTube supported HD. In that case, the card will automatically hide, and you can use the next available quality (HQ or SD).

How do I find a YouTube video's ID?

The video ID is the 11-character code after "v=" in a standard YouTube URL (e.g., youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ → the ID is "dQw4w9WgXcQ"). You can also paste the full URL and our tool will extract it automatically.

Is my data stored or tracked when using this utility?

No, absolutely not. We value your privacy. All processing happens securely, and your inputs or generated files are never permanently logged or associated with your identity.

Can I use this tool on my smartphone?

Yes! Our platform is fully responsive and optimized for mobile devices, allowing you to use all utilities seamlessly on your phone or tablet.

Are there any usage limits?

We offer generous rate limits for manual usage so you can use the utilities without interruptions. Automated bot scraping is prohibited to ensure high performance for all users.

Do I need to download any software?

No installation is required. You can access and use this utility instantly from any modern web browser.

Is this utility completely free?

Yes, it is 100% free to use with no hidden fees, subscriptions, or premium features locked behind a paywall.

Does this tool work offline?

Since it is a web-based utility, an active internet connection is required to load the tool and process requests through our backend APIs.

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