If I have a YouTube video URL, is there any way to use PHP and cURL to get the associated thumbnail from the YouTube API?
YouTube API – How to Get a YouTube Video Thumbnail
curlphpyoutubeyoutube-apiyoutube-data-api
curlphpyoutubeyoutube-apiyoutube-data-api
If I have a YouTube video URL, is there any way to use PHP and cURL to get the associated thumbnail from the YouTube API?
Best Answer
Each YouTube video has four generated images. They are predictably formatted as follows:
The first one in the list is a full size image and others are thumbnail images. The default thumbnail image (i.e., one of
1.jpg
,2.jpg
,3.jpg
) is:For the high quality version of the thumbnail use a URL similar to this:
There is also a medium quality version of the thumbnail, using a URL similar to the HQ:
For the standard definition version of the thumbnail, use a URL similar to this:
For the maximum resolution version of the thumbnail use a URL similar to this:
All of the above URLs are available over HTTP too. Additionally, the slightly shorter hostname
i3.ytimg.com
works in place ofimg.youtube.com
in the example URLs above.Alternatively, you can use the YouTube Data API (v3) to get thumbnail images.