Get maxresdefault Thumbnail from YouTube
YouTube stores its highest-quality thumbnails as maxresdefault.jpg (1280×720). This file is often referred to as the HD YouTube thumbnail or 1280×720 thumbnail image.
This is the original image shown on the video page. ThumbGrab lets you download it directly — no screenshots, no quality loss.
Works with YouTube videos and Shorts. Automatically selects the highest available resolution.
Free - No signup required - 3 downloads/day
Original File
Downloads the exact maxresdefault.jpg from YouTube servers
Full HD (1280×720)
Highest thumbnail quality YouTube provides
No Watermarks
Clean image, unchanged
What is maxresdefault on YouTube?
YouTube automatically generates multiple thumbnail sizes for every video. The highest quality is called maxresdefault.jpg and has a resolution of 1280×720 pixels (720p HD).
This is the same image YouTube displays on the video page. ThumbGrab downloads this exact file directly from YouTube's image servers — no compression, no watermarks, no quality loss.
Not all videos have maxresdefault available. Older videos or videos uploaded in lower quality may only have sddefault (640×480) or smaller. ThumbGrab automatically falls back to the best available size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is maxresdefault on YouTube?
maxresdefault.jpg is the highest resolution thumbnail YouTube generates for a video. It is 1280×720 pixels (720p HD) and is the same image displayed on the video page. ThumbGrab downloads this exact file directly from YouTube servers.
Why do some videos not have maxresdefault?
Not all YouTube videos have maxresdefault thumbnails. Older videos, videos uploaded in low resolution, or videos where the creator uploaded a lower-quality custom thumbnail may only have sddefault (640×480) or smaller. ThumbGrab automatically shows you the best available size.
Is maxresdefault always 1280×720?
Yes. When available, maxresdefault.jpg is always 1280×720 pixels. This is the standard HD thumbnail resolution YouTube uses. If a video does not have maxresdefault, YouTube serves a smaller size like sddefault (640×480) or hqdefault (480×360).
Can I download maxresdefault thumbnails for free?
Yes. ThumbGrab lets you download 3 maxresdefault thumbnails per day completely free, no signup required. Create a free account for 10 downloads per day.
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