YouTube Shorts thumbnail downloader
Paste any Shorts link to get its cover image in every size that exists.
How to save a Shorts thumbnail
- Open the Short in the YouTube app, tap Share and choose Copy link.
- Paste the link in the box above. Links that contain
/shorts/work exactly like normal video links. - Download the size you need. You can also switch the output to PNG or WebP.
How Shorts thumbnails are different
Shorts are vertical (9:16), but the preview image YouTube stores for them is still a 16:9 picture. Depending on how the video was uploaded, you may see the vertical frame centred on black bars, or a cropped frame from the video. That is normal; it is how YouTube stores the file, not an error of this tool.
A custom thumbnail can be set on a Short only from the mobile app or YouTube Studio, and many Shorts simply use an automatically chosen frame. If the HD size is not listed, the Short has no custom high-resolution image.
Using a Shorts cover on your own video
If you want a clean 1280 × 720 or vertical cover for your own Short, design it yourself and export it with the image resizer. Re-using another creator's cover as your own is not allowed without permission, see our copyright guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Shorts link work the same as a normal link?
Yes. Paste the Shorts URL as it is and the tool extracts the 11-character video ID automatically.
Why is my Shorts thumbnail 16:9 and not vertical?
YouTube stores preview images for Shorts in the same 16:9 format used for all videos, so the vertical frame may appear with black bars.
Can I download the Short video itself?
No. This tool only downloads the public preview image.