How to grab a poster image from a video
- Choose a video file or drag it onto the box. It opens right in your browser, with no upload and no waiting.
- Pick how to pull frames: up to 10 every second for fast action, one every few seconds to skim a long clip, or a set number spread evenly. Narrow it down with a start and end time.
- Tap Pull frames. Thumbnails appear as they're captured. Use the size slider to make them bigger.
- Click any frame to enlarge it. Zoom to 100% or 200% to check focus, eyes, and motion blur, and nudge one frame forward or back to land on the exact moment.
- Select the frames you want, choose JPG, PNG, or WebP and a size, and download. Several frames save together as a ZIP.
When it comes in handy
- WordPress and website videos. Set a sharp, flattering poster image instead of the black or blurry first frame. In WordPress, add it under the video block's Poster Image setting.
- YouTube and social thumbnails. Start from a real frame with the best expression, then add your text in your editor.
- Stills from a video shoot. Pull print-quality stills from 4K footage of events, car shows, or behind-the-scenes clips.
- Checking a take. Step through a moment frame by frame to see exactly where a blink or blur happens.
Frequently asked questions
What is a poster image?
It's the still picture a video shows before someone presses play. WordPress, website video players, and many apps call it the poster image or poster frame. Social platforms usually call it a thumbnail or cover. They're the same idea: a frame that makes people want to watch.
Will the saved frame be full resolution?
Yes. Frames are captured at the video's full size, so a 4K video gives you a 3840 × 2160 still. You can also shrink it on export to a web-friendly width like 1920 or 1280 pixels.
Which video formats work?
Anything your browser can play. MP4 (H.264) and WebM work everywhere. MOV files usually open, since most are H.264 inside. iPhone HEVC videos work in Safari and in most recent versions of Chrome and Edge, depending on your computer. AVI, ProRes, and other editing formats generally don't open in browsers, so export an MP4 copy first.
Why are some frames slightly different from what I picked?
Videos store most frames as changes from the frames around them, so browsers sometimes land a fraction of a frame off when jumping to an exact time. Use the one-frame nudge buttons in the enlarged view to step to the exact frame you want.
How many frames can I pull at once?
Up to 2,000 per run. At 10 frames per second that's over three minutes of video. For longer clips, set a start and end time around the part you care about, or use fewer frames per second.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The video is opened directly from your device and processed in your browser. It's never sent to our server, so even private or unreleased footage stays private.