YouTube thumbnail downloader
the biggest size that exists, from one link
Updated: October 2026 · 4 min read
Open AppGrabbit, go to the Thumbnail tab, paste the video link and tap Save thumbnail. The app checks which sizes that video actually has (not every video has MaxRes), shows you the cover full size and saves it to your folder under the video's title, as JPG, PNG or WebP. It costs no credits. Free on Free and Pro
What "4K" and "HD" really mean here
YouTube serves the public five sizes per video: MaxRes 1280×720, SD 640×480, HQ 480×360, MQ 320×180 and a tiny 120×90. There is no "4K thumbnail" to download from a link: even if the creator uploaded one at 3840×2160 (what YouTube now recommends), the largest copy served is 1280×720. Any site promising 4K thumbnails hands you that same image or upscales it with software. AppGrabbit gives you the original, no invented pixels.
When there is no MaxRes
MaxRes exists when the video was uploaded in HD or the channel set a large custom thumbnail. Old or low-resolution uploads only have SD and HQ. The app checks before offering a size: if the MaxRes button is missing, YouTube simply doesn't have it for that video, nothing failed. One detail few sites mention: SD and HQ come in 4:3 with black bars top and bottom; MQ and MaxRes are clean 16:9.
Live streams and unlisted videos
A live stream has an id like any video, so the cover the channel set saves the same way, live or finished. Unlisted videos work too, because YouTube serves their image to anyone with the link. A private video has no cover to hand out, and the app tells you so instead of giving you a grey placeholder.
Good to know
- Where it goes — your app download folder, in its images subfolder; change it in Settings
- File name — the video's title; if one already exists, it gets numbered
- Format — JPG is YouTube's original; PNG and WebP are converted on your PC when saving
- Rights — the thumbnail belongs to the channel: fine for notes, reference or class; to republish it, ask
Compared
| AppGrabbit | Thumbnail website | By hand (image address) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes offered | ✓ Only the ones that exist for that video | ~ All of them, even when they fail | ~ You try them one by one |
| Format | ✓ JPG, PNG or WebP | ~ Almost always JPG | ✗ JPG |
| File name | ✓ The video's title | ✗ maxresdefault.jpg | ✗ maxresdefault.jpg |
| Ads | ✓ None | ✗ Plenty | ✓ None |
| Cost | ✓ Free, no credits | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Needs | ~ The app installed (Windows) | ✓ Just a browser | ✓ Just a browser |
Step by step
- 1Open the Thumbnail tab — in Download, to the right of Subtitles with AI.
- 2Paste the link — long (watch?v=), short (youtu.be), a Short or a live stream all work. The cover shows up full size as soon as the app finds it.
- 3Pick size and format — MaxRes when it exists; JPG, PNG or WebP depending on what you'll do with it.
- 4Save thumbnail — it's saved under the video's title. The toast has an "Open folder" button.
- 5Another one, if you want — paste the next link: no cap, no credits spent.
Frequently asked questions
Saving it for personal use (reference, notes, a class) is the normal case. The image still belongs to the channel: to republish it or use it in your own work, ask for permission or make your own.
Because YouTube doesn't have it for that video: old uploads, low-resolution uploads or videos without a custom thumbnail. The app only shows sizes that exist; pick SD or HQ.
No: the Thumbnail tab works one at a time. The Batch tab is for downloading videos, not covers.
No. Thumbnails are free and unlimited on Free and Pro. Credits go to video downloads, batches, file conversions and transcriptions.
Yes. YouTube serves JPG; if you pick PNG or WebP, the app converts it on your PC when saving.
AppGrabbit is for Windows. On a phone you're left with the manual route: building the image address from the video id (explained in the "see the thumbnail full size" guide).
Related guides
Save the cover of any video
The Thumbnail tab ships with the app, free, on Free and Pro. Download AppGrabbit for Windows 10/11.