How to Get YouTube Thumbnails in Every Size (Shorts Included)

Want to quickly get a thumbnail for any YouTube video (including Shorts) — in the exact size you need? This guide shows you the fastest path using Thumbli, plus helpful URL patterns and tips for consistent results.

Why Thumbnails Matter

Thumbnails are the first impression. Whether you’re designing a reference mockup, creating a moodboard, or simply saving a preview image, having the right size keeps your workflow smooth and your visuals crisp.

Step 1: Copy the Full Video URL

Open the YouTube video and copy the complete link from your browser or the app. For Shorts, share/copy the youtube.com/shorts/... URL.

Step 2: Paste into Thumbli

Head to Thumbli and paste the URL. Thumbli detects the video and lists every available thumbnail variant. You’ll see small preview images up to full-resolution options (when available).

Step 3: Pick the Right Size for Your Use Case

Different projects need different sizes. Here’s a quick way to choose:

Social mockups and previews

• Use small to medium sizes for drafts or quick references.
• They load fast and are perfect for wireframes, docs, or lightweight embeds.

Design and print references

• Choose the largest available size for clarity and cropping headroom.
• If the highest-res image isn’t available, pick the next best option Thumbli shows.

Understanding Availability

Not every video exposes a true max-resolution image. That’s normal. Thumbli automatically falls back to the best available size and shows you the full range you can download or copy by URL.

Bonus: Direct URL Patterns (Advanced Users)

If you prefer working with direct links, YouTube exposes predictable image URLs via img.youtube.com using the video ID. Thumbli already does this work for you, but if you want a quick reference, here’s the shape:

https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/maxres (or hq/sd/mq/default).jpg

Note: If a larger version doesn’t exist, the link will either 404 or return a smaller image. Thumbli checks availability so you don’t have to guess.

Shorts Are Supported

Shorts use the same underlying video ID approach. Paste the Shorts URL and Thumbli will surface available sizes instantly.

Common Pitfalls

• Blank/gray images: Refresh or try “open in new tab.” Sometimes CDNs serve cached placeholders briefly.
• Max-res missing: Totally normal; grab the highest available alternative.
• Mobile saving: Long-press an image to save; or copy the link if your device prefers that flow.

Conclusion

That’s it! With Thumbli, you can fetch thumbnails for any YouTube video — including Shorts — and get the exact size you need without digging through guessy links. Paste, preview, pick your size, and you’re done.