YouTube Thumbnail & Timestamp Link Generator

Which URL Should You Use? Why `hqdefault` is the Safest Bet

The five URLs this tool generates are all based on real YouTube conventions, but not all five exist for every video.

`maxresdefault` (1280×720) is only generated when the uploader has provided a custom high-quality thumbnail. If they didn't, and YouTube auto-generated one from a video frame, this URL won't work. Instead of a 404 error, requesting a non-existent `maxresdefault` URL returns a 120×90 gray placeholder image, which is a particular headache to handle in code.

How to Programmatically Check if a `maxres` Thumbnail Exists

If you need to display YouTube thumbnails on your website, you can't manually check for the existence of `maxres` every time. You can automate this by leveraging the fact that the gray placeholder image always has a native size of 120×90.

// If maxres doesn't exist, YouTube returns a 120x90 gray image
function ytThumb(id) {
  return new Promise(function (resolve) {
    var base = "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/" + id + "/";
    var img = new Image();
    img.onload = function () {
      var ok = img.naturalWidth > 120;   // Filter out the gray placeholder image
      resolve(base + (ok ? "maxresdefault" : "hqdefault") + ".jpg");
    };
    img.onerror = function () {
      resolve(base + "hqdefault.jpg");
    };
    img.src = base + "maxresdefault.jpg";
  });
}

Before You Use Someone Else's Thumbnail

Getting the URL is one thing; being allowed to use the image is another. A thumbnail is a copyrighted work created by the video's author. Uploading it to YouTube does not make it free for anyone to use.

• Quoting the thumbnail in a review or article to identify the video — this is likely to be considered fair use if you provide a source and a link.
• Using it as a banner or ad creative for your own site — this is problematic and requires the creator's permission.
• Creating a gallery page of thumbnails to run ads — this is both a copyright issue and a violation of YouTube's Terms of Service.
• Retrieving a thumbnail for a video you uploaded yourself — this is perfectly fine. This tool is useful if you've lost the original file.

Creating Video Chapters with Timestamps

The timestamp tool at the bottom has two main purposes: creating a shareable link that starts playback at a specific moment, and building a chapter list for a video's description.

YouTube only generates chapters automatically when a specific set of conditions are met. If even one is missed, the list will remain plain text and the video player's seek bar won't be divided.

1. Paste the YouTube link in the input field above.
2. Enter the time using the hr/min/sec fields or type it directly, like `3:20` or `200s`.
3. Click "Add Current Time" to add the time to the list in `0:00` format.
4. Add a chapter title after the timestamp on each line. Make sure the first line starts with `0:00`.
5. Copy the completed list and paste it into your video's description.

• The first chapter must be `0:00`. If you start at, say, `0:15`, no chapters will be created at all.
• There must be at least three chapters in the list.
• Each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long.
• The timestamps must be listed in chronological (ascending) order.
• The list must be in the video's description. Timestamps in comments only function as links and won't affect the player's seek bar.

What to Do When the Video ID Isn't Found

A YouTube video ID is exactly 11 characters long. This tool scans for all known formats (watch, youtu.be, shorts, embed, live) and even checks the last path segment as a fallback. If it still fails, it's usually for one of the following reasons.

• You pasted a channel or playlist URL. These don't have video IDs. Open a specific video from the playlist and use its URL.
• The link was truncated when you copied it from a messenger app. Try copying the full link again.
• The link uses a URL shortener service (like bit.ly). You'll need to open the link in a browser first to get the final YouTube URL.
• There are extra characters like quotes or other text attached to the beginning or end of the URL. The tool tries to filter these out, but if it fails, delete everything except the URL itself.