How to Download a Thumbnail from YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is a new format for short vertical videos that has gained massive popularity. But many users face the question: Can you download a thumbnail from Shorts like with regular videos?

Do Shorts have a real thumbnail?

In regular YouTube videos, the thumbnail is stored as a separate image — like maxresdefault.jpg. With Shorts, that’s not always the case: YouTube often uses an auto-generated frame or doesn’t create a separate file at all.

How to try downloading a Shorts thumbnail

1. Copy the link to the Shorts video
2. Go to ytubesnap.com
3. Paste the link into the input field and click “Download”
4. If a thumbnail exists — it will appear and you can save it
5. If not — see the tips below

Alternative: Take a Screenshot

If no thumbnail is available, you can:

• Open the Shorts video in fullscreen
• Pause at the desired moment
• Take a screenshot (Windows, Mac, Android or iPhone)
• Crop it using any image editor

Conclusion

Unfortunately, Shorts don’t always have a traditional thumbnail. But YouTubeSnap can still help: if a thumbnail file exists — we’ll find it. If not — a clean screenshot is your best option.