Thumbnails are loaded directly from YouTube’s public image server (i.ytimg.com). They remain the property of the video’s creator.
How to use it: in the YouTube app tap Share on the Short, then Copy link. Paste the link (it looks like youtube.com/shorts/… or youtu.be/…) into the box above and press Get thumbnails. Regular videos work too; see the main YouTube Thumbnail Downloader.
How Shorts thumbnails work
Every Short has an 11-character video ID, the same as a normal video, and YouTube publishes preview images for it on its image server. The tool reads the ID from your link and shows each size that exists. Sizes that YouTube has not created for that Short are hidden automatically; for many Shorts the full-HD version is missing, while the HQ (480 × 360) and MQ (320 × 180) versions are almost always there.
Because these stored images use YouTube’s standard horizontal shapes, a vertical Short often appears in the middle of the image with dark bars at the sides.
Turn it into a vertical image
- Download the largest size shown above.
- Click Crop → in the next-step bar that appears after downloading, or open the 9:16 crop.
- Drag the 9:16 frame over the picture to remove the side bars, then crop and download.
The result is small, because the stored thumbnail is small. For a sharp cover image of your own Short, export a frame from your original video instead.
Available sizes at a glance
| Name | Size | For Shorts |
|---|---|---|
| HD (maxres) | 1280 × 720 | Sometimes |
| SD | 640 × 480 | Often |
| HQ | 480 × 360 | Almost always |
| MQ | 320 × 180 | Almost always |
| Small | 120 × 90 | Always |
Use thumbnails responsibly
Thumbnails belong to the creator of the video. Downloading one for your own Short, for research, a review or a link preview is common practice, but do not re-upload someone else’s thumbnail as your own or use it commercially without permission.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no HD option for my Short?
YouTube does not create a full-HD preview for every Short. The tool only shows sizes that actually exist, so pick the largest one listed.
Can I get the custom cover I chose in the app?
The images shown are the ones YouTube serves for the Short. If YouTube uses a different frame in some places, that version is not available through these links.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. Paste the link in your mobile browser and tap Download. If your browser opens the image instead, long-press it and choose to save it.
Related tools
Thumbnails for regular videos.
Image CropperRemove the side bars with a 9:16 crop.
Image ResizerScale images for stories and posts.
More quick tools
Crop to 9:16Crop to 16:9Resize for InstagramCompress to 200KB