Free · No signup · No watermark
YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Downloader
Save the cover image of any YouTube Short in its real vertical shape, up to 1080×1920, or as a classic 16:9 image. Paste the Shorts link and download.
YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Downloader tool
Shorts Thumbnails Are Vertical, and We Get the Full-Size One
A Short has two kinds of thumbnail on YouTube's servers. The familiar 16:9 files (maxresdefault.jpg and smaller) show the vertical frame with bars on the sides. The original file, oar2.jpg, keeps the true 9:16 shape and is usually 1080×1920, exactly how the Short looks in the Shorts feed.
Most downloaders only fetch the 16:9 versions. This one checks for the vertical original first and marks it Best available when it exists.
How to Download a Shorts Thumbnail
Copy the Short's link from the Share button (it looks like youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID), paste it above, and tap Download on the Original card for the vertical cover, or on Max-Res HD for a 16:9 version. On iPhone, press and hold the image and choose Save to Photos if the download does not start.
Related Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Do YouTube Shorts have thumbnails?
Yes. Every Short has a cover image, and YouTube stores it both as a vertical original (usually 1080x1920) and as standard 16:9 files.
What size is a YouTube Shorts thumbnail?
The vertical original is usually 1080x1920 (9:16), sometimes 720x1280. YouTube recommends uploading Shorts covers at 2160x3840.
Can I download a Shorts cover photo on my phone?
Yes. Paste the Shorts link in your mobile browser and tap Download. On iPhone, press and hold the image and choose Save to Photos if needed.