YouTube Thumbnail URL from a Video ID
Every YouTube video has public preview images at predictable addresses. If you know the video ID, you can build the thumbnail URL yourself.
The URL pattern
YouTube serves thumbnails from its image servers at addresses of this shape:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/maxresdefault.jpgReplace VIDEO_ID with the 11-character ID and the file name with the size you want:
| File name | Resolution |
|---|---|
| maxresdefault.jpg | 1280×720 |
| sddefault.jpg | 640×480 |
| hqdefault.jpg | 480×360 |
| mqdefault.jpg | 320×180 |
| default.jpg | 120×90 |
The file called 0.jpg is the same image as hqdefault, and 1.jpg to 3.jpg are small 120×90 frames.
When a URL returns an error
The small sizes exist for every video, but maxresdefault does not. If you open it and get a 404, that file was never generated for the video. That file is only generated for HD uploads, so older or standard-definition videos often lack it.
The shortcut
If you would rather not guess, paste the link into the tool on the page about how to get a YouTube thumbnail from a URL: it checks which files exist and shows each direct image URL ready to copy. If you do not have the ID yet, the next guide shows how to find a YouTube video ID.
Using the URL in a spreadsheet or a database
Because the address depends only on the video ID and the file name, you can build a whole column of thumbnail URLs from a column of IDs. A formula that joins the fixed start, the ID and the file name is enough. Remember to use a size that exists for every row, such as hqdefault.jpg, if some of your videos are old.
A worked example
Take the video ID dQw4w9WgXcQ. The 1280×720 file is at https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dQw4w9WgXcQ/maxresdefault.jpg, and the 480×360 file is at https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dQw4w9WgXcQ/hqdefault.jpg. Only the file name changes between sizes, and the ID stays exactly as it is.
Two things to remember
- The ID is case sensitive. A lowercase letter where there should be a capital gives a different video or an error.
- These addresses serve public preview images. The image itself belongs to the video's creator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the URL of a YouTube thumbnail?
It follows the pattern https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/maxresdefault.jpg, where you swap in the video ID and, if needed, a different file name.
Which file name gives the largest thumbnail?
maxresdefault.jpg, at 1280×720, when the video has it.
Is there an official API for thumbnails?
YouTube's data API returns thumbnail URLs for a video, but for a single video the pattern above or a tool like ThumbGrab is quicker.
Does the URL work for Shorts?
Yes. A Short has a normal video ID, so the same pattern applies.
Why does the URL return an error for some videos?
Not every video has the larger files. The 480×360 hqdefault file exists for every video.
Keep reading
- Next guide: How to find a YouTube video ID
- The tool for this topic: get a YouTube thumbnail from a URL
- Back to the YouTube thumbnail downloader