How to download a YouTube thumbnail
YouTube thumbnails are the preview images shown before a video plays. Each YouTube video has several thumbnail sizes available — maximum resolution (1280x720), high quality (480x360), medium quality (320x180), and default (120x90). This tool extracts and downloads all available sizes from any public YouTube video.
Why download YouTube thumbnails?
Content creators study competitor thumbnails to understand what designs perform well in their niche. Designers and marketers use thumbnails for presentations and articles. Educators use video thumbnails to create visual content guides. Bloggers embedding YouTube videos sometimes need the thumbnail image separately for custom display.
YouTube thumbnail specifications
YouTube recommends thumbnails at 1280x720 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio). The file should be JPG, GIF, or PNG under 2MB. Custom thumbnails uploaded by creators are available at full HD quality. Auto-generated thumbnails from video frames may only be available at lower resolutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use downloaded thumbnails? YouTube thumbnails are copyrighted by the video creator. Downloading for personal reference or analysis is generally acceptable. Using them commercially without permission may infringe copyright.
Why is only the SD version available for some videos? Not all videos have custom HD thumbnails. Auto-generated thumbnails are typically only available at lower resolutions.
Can I download thumbnails from private videos? No. Only thumbnails from public videos are accessible without authentication.
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