Frequently asked questions
Here is everything you need to know about downloading and reusing YouTube or Vimeo thumbnails with Download Video Thumbnail.
Paste any video link to preview every quality — from miniatures up to 4K — and save what you need in seconds.
What can I download with this thumbnail grabber?
You can fetch the cover image of any public YouTube or Vimeo video in every size the platforms expose — from 120×90 miniatures up to 4K hero shots when available.
The grabber probes the four native frames YouTube stores: player background, starting frame, middle frame, and ending frame. In total you can preview up to 24 resolution variants for each video.
People use the downloads for presentations, animation boards, mood boards, or creative references — just remember to credit the original creator when you publish them anywhere else.
Which thumbnail sizes and formats can I save?
We return JPG and WebP files in every resolution the platform exposes, so you can pick the fidelity that fits your project.
Common YouTube sizes include 1280×720 (HD), 1920×1080 for 4K uploads, 1080×1920 and 270×480 for Shorts, plus 1280×1080, 640×480, 480×360, 320×180, and 120×90 pixels.
Download the variant that fits your layout: high-res for hero banners, mid-res for social feeds, and smaller assets for storyboards or quick comps.
How do I use the downloader?
Copy the full video link (or just the ID) from YouTube or Vimeo and paste it into the input box on the home page.
As soon as you paste the link, the tool recognises the platform, pulls every supported thumbnail size, and shows instant previews for each frame.
Click Download next to the thumbnail you need. Desktop and Android browsers save the image immediately; on iOS, open the Share sheet and choose Save Image to store it in Photos.
Can I download thumbnails from YouTube Shorts or 4K videos?
Yes. Shorts generate vertical 1080×1920 and 270×480 variants alongside the standard landscape frames, and we surface them automatically.
4K uploads expose an additional max-resolution 1920×1080 still. If a video includes extra stills for premieres or live streams, we display those the moment YouTube publishes them.
What should a YouTube thumbnail look like?
Aim for 1280×720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and never go below 640 pixels in width to keep the image sharp on every device.
Keep the composition simple and memorable: centre the subject, avoid clutter, and use high-resolution imagery.
Add bold, legible typography with strong colour contrast, stick to your brand palette, and test variants to see which version earns the best click-through rate.
Is it legal to download or reuse thumbnails?
Downloading a publicly accessible thumbnail is allowed because you are saving an image the platform already serves.
The artwork remains copyrighted, so you must obtain the author’s permission before you reuse it, especially in commercial or promotional projects.
Avoid misleading imagery or practices that violate YouTube’s community guidelines to keep your channel compliant.
Will this tool work on my device?
The downloader works in modern browsers across desktop, Android, tablets, and iOS.
On iPhone or iPad, Safari may open the image in a new tab — long-press or tap Share → Save Image to download it manually.
If automatic downloads are blocked, use the right-click menu on desktop or the device share sheet to save the file.
Which tools can I use to edit the thumbnails?
You can fine-tune the images in editors such as Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Affinity Photo, or any graphics app that supports JPG or WebP.
Overlay text, adjust colours, or remix the composition so the final thumbnail feels unique to your brand before you publish it.