How to Download YouTube Thumbnails on Mac or Windows

Whether you’re editing videos, building presentations, creating social media content, or analysing competitors, downloading YouTube thumbnails on your computer is incredibly useful. Both macOS and Windows make it easy to save high-quality thumbnails without installing extra software.

This guide walks you through the simplest ways to download YouTube thumbnails on Mac or Windows, plus how to get full-resolution images using TubeThumb Tools.

Method 1: Use TubeThumb Tools (Recommended)

  1. Copy the URL of the YouTube video.
  2. Open TubeThumb Tools in your browser.
  3. Paste the URL and click Get Thumbnail.
  4. Right-click the image and select Save Image As.

This method works on all browsers including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.

Method 2: Use a Manual Thumbnail URL

YouTube’s thumbnail URLs follow a consistent pattern:

https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/maxresdefault.jpg

Replace the VIDEO_ID and open the URL in your browser. Save the image using your normal right-click options.

Saving Thumbnails on macOS

  • Use Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
  • Right-click the image and choose Save Image As.
  • The file will appear in your Downloads folder or wherever you choose.

Saving Thumbnails on Windows

  • Works in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
  • Right-click the image and choose Save image as….
  • Choose your download folder, then click Save.

FAQ

Can I download thumbnails from Shorts?

Yes—Shorts thumbnails can be downloaded the same way.

Can I save multiple thumbnails at once?

Tools like TubeThumb Tools allow you to quickly browse SD, HD, and full-resolution versions.

Does this require any software?

No. Everything works directly in your browser.

To download a thumbnail on your Mac or Windows computer, visit the TubeThumb Tools homepage.