How to Download YouTube Shorts Thumbnails

YouTube Shorts have taken off, and with them comes a unique challenge: their thumbnails work differently from regular YouTube videos. Shorts use vertical (9:16) thumbnails, and finding them can be tricky since the Shorts player doesn't display thumbnails the same way.

Here's how to download a YouTube Shorts thumbnail in the highest quality available.

Method 1: Use ThumbSaver (Easiest)

ThumbSaver works with YouTube Shorts URLs just like regular video URLs:

1. Open the Short you want the thumbnail from
2. Copy the URL — it will look like https://youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID
3. Go to ThumbSaver.app and paste the URL
4. Click Get Thumbnails
5. Download your preferred resolution

Method 2: Use the Thumbnail URL Pattern

YouTube Shorts use the same thumbnail URL structure as regular videos. You just need the video ID from the Shorts URL.

From a URL like https://youtube.com/shorts/abc123XYZ99, the video ID is abc123XYZ99 — the 11-character string after /shorts/.

Use these URLs (replacing the video ID):

• Max Resolution: https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/maxresdefault.jpg
• SD: https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/sddefault.jpg
• HQ: https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/hqdefault.jpg

For more detail on URL patterns, see our guide on getting YouTube thumbnail URLs.

Method 3: From the YouTube Mobile App

1. Open the Short in the YouTube app
2. Tap the Share button and select Copy Link
3. Open your mobile browser and go to ThumbSaver.app
4. Paste the Shorts link
5. Tap Get Thumbnails and long-press the image to save

Understanding Shorts Thumbnails

There are some differences between Shorts and regular video thumbnails you should know:

Shorts can have custom thumbnails

YouTube now allows creators to upload custom thumbnails for Shorts (this was added in 2023). If the creator set a custom thumbnail, that's what you'll download. Otherwise, YouTube auto-generates one from a frame of the video.

Thumbnail display varies by context

The same Short shows different thumbnails depending on where it appears:

• Shorts shelf — shows the vertical thumbnail (cropped or custom)
• Channel page (Videos tab) — shows a standard 16:9 landscape version
• Search results — shows the landscape version

When you download via the URL pattern or ThumbSaver, you get the standard landscape version that YouTube generates.

Resolution availability

Not all Shorts have the maxresdefault thumbnail available. If the max resolution version shows a grey placeholder image, try sddefault or hqdefault instead — these are almost always available.

Shorts Thumbnail Size Specifications

If you're creating thumbnails for your own Shorts:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 vertical)
• Max file size: 2 MB
• Formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP

For full thumbnail specifications, check our YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide.