YouTube generates thumbnails in five standard sizes for every video. Understanding which size to use depends on your intended application.
The Five YouTube Thumbnail Resolutions
| Name | Filename | Size | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default | default.jpg | 120×90 | Tiny previews |
| Medium | mqdefault.jpg | 320×180 | Email, sidebar |
| High | hqdefault.jpg | 480×360 | Blogs, presentations |
| Standard | sddefault.jpg | 640×480 | Web content |
| Max Res | maxresdefault.jpg | 1280×720 | Print, HD displays |
Which Thumbnail Does YouTube Use?
YouTube uses the maxresdefault thumbnail for the video page if it exists. For older videos or those uploaded before HD was common, only hqdefault may be available.
Aspect Ratio Note
The default, medium, and standard thumbnails use a 4:3 aspect ratio, while high and maxres use 16:9 (widescreen). Modern YouTube videos are almost always 16:9.