Stillmore

Free YouTube Thumbnail Finder

Paste a public YouTube video link or its 11-character ID, then choose an available thumbnail size.

Use thumbnails you own or have permission to use. This tool retrieves thumbnail images only. Stillmore does not offer a YouTube video downloader.

Compare two thumbnails from one video

The Big Buck Bunny sample returns these two JPEGs. The 480 × 360 file includes black bars above and below the picture. The 320 × 180 file uses the full frame.

Big Buck Bunny preview with black bars above and below
480 × 360
Wide Big Buck Bunny preview
320 × 180
Big Buck Bunny · © Blender Foundation · CC BY 3.0

How to save an available YouTube thumbnail

  1. Enter a video link or ID

    Use a YouTube watch, Shorts or share link, or paste its 11-character video ID.

  2. Check the returned sizes

    The finder checks YouTube's thumbnail images and displays the dimensions of the copies it can retrieve.

  3. Save the version you need

    Choose the JPEG that fits your reference board or publishing layout.

Use a thumbnail in the next edit

Start from an existing video cover when preparing material for a video you manage.

Review cover consistency

Place several saved thumbnails next to each other to compare headline size and framing.

Prepare a launch brief

Give the editor a visual reference for the colours and subject placement of an earlier upload.

Recover an existing cover

Retrieve a published JPEG for a video you manage if the original design file is elsewhere.

Adapt a reference for social

Check which details will remain visible before cropping a landscape thumbnail for a vertical post.

YouTube thumbnail finder FAQ

Why does the largest thumbnail look missing or low resolution?

Available sizes vary by video. Inspect the actual image before saving it and choose the largest usable version. For a still from a different moment, extract a frame from your own video file.

Why are fewer than four sizes shown?

The finder shows the copies it can retrieve. A video or its image host may not provide every requested size.

Does this extract a frame I choose?

It retrieves YouTube's published thumbnail images. To choose a moment from a local video, use the video frame extractor.

Will the downloaded image change my YouTube cover?

Downloading saves a local JPEG. Updating the published cover is a separate action in your channel.

Can I paste a Shorts link instead of a watch link?

Yes. Paste the Shorts URL, a regular watch URL, a youtu.be link or the video's 11-character ID.

Will this save the video or just its cover?

It saves a JPEG thumbnail. The downloaded file contains the cover image only.

Which size should I choose for my design?

Read the pixel dimensions beneath each result and pick the smallest one that meets your layout size. Open the image to check whether its framing includes black bars.