How do I download a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?

Copy the Shorts link from YouTube, paste it into the tool at the top of this page, and click Get Thumbnail. You can download the vertical 9:16 image or any standard 16:9 size.

What is the vertical Shorts thumbnail URL?

YouTube stores the vertical Shorts image at https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/oar2.jpg. Standard 16:9 files like hqdefault.jpg also exist for every Short.

YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Downloader

Paste a YouTube Shorts link to download its thumbnail, including the vertical version.

Download Thumbnail:

Vertical (Shorts)

Download (480x360)

Download (640x480)

Download (1280x720)

How to Download a YouTube Shorts Thumbnail

Open the Short on YouTube and tap Share, then Copy Link.
Paste the link in the box above. Links like youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID and youtu.be/VIDEO_ID both work.
Click Get Thumbnail and pick a size. The Vertical option grabs the 9:16 image that YouTube shows in the Shorts feed.

Why Shorts Thumbnails Are Different

Regular YouTube videos use 16:9 thumbnails. Shorts are vertical (9:16), and YouTube stores an extra image for them at a separate address: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/oar2.jpg. Most thumbnail tools only return the standard 16:9 files, which crop or letterbox a Short. This page gives you both: the true vertical image and every standard size.

Note that if a creator never set a custom frame, the vertical file may not exist for older Shorts. In that case use the 480x360 or 640x480 file, which YouTube generates for every video.

Standard Sizes Also Available for Shorts

Size	File	Always exists?
1280x720	`maxresdefault.jpg`	Only for HD uploads or custom thumbnails
640x480	`sddefault.jpg`	Most videos
480x360	`hqdefault.jpg`	Yes
Vertical 9:16	`oar2.jpg`	Most Shorts

Want the full list of every thumbnail file YouTube stores, with code samples? Read the YouTube thumbnail URL guide. For regular videos, use the YouTube thumbnail grabber on the homepage.