---
title: "Add a video thumbnail"
method: POST
path: "/videos/{video_id}/pictures"
tags: ["Videos\\Thumbnails"]
---

# Add a video thumbnail

`POST /videos/{video_id}/pictures`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.vimeo.com`
- URL: `https://api.vimeo.com/videos/{video_id}/pictures`
- Auth: OAuth 2
  - Authorization code: `/oauth/authorize`, token URL `/oauth/access_token`
  - Client credentials, token URL `/oauth/authorize/client`
  - Scopes: `upload`
- TypeScript: <https://skmtc.dev/vimeo/apis/vimeo-api/docs/videos/:video_id/pictures/post.ts> (a function with typed inputs; its response is checked against the schema)

This method adds a thumbnail image to the specified video.

## Path parameters

- `video_id` number, required

## Request body

- object
  - `active` boolean: Whether the image created by the **time** field should be the default thumbnail for the video.
  - `time` number: Creates an image of the video from the given time offset.

## Response `201`

The thumbnail was created.

- Picture
  - `active` boolean, required: Whether this picture is the active picture for its parent resource.
  - `link` string: The upload URL for the picture. This field appears when you create the picture resource for the first time.
  - `resource_key` string, required: The picture's resource key string.
  - `sizes` object[], required: An array containing reference information about all available image files.
    - `height` number, nullable, required: The height of the image.
    - `link` string, required: The direct link to the image.
    - `link_with_play_button` string: The direct link to the image with a play button overlay.
    - `width` number, required: The width of the image.
  - `type` 'caution' | 'custom' | 'default', required: The type of the picture: Option descriptions: * `caution` - An image that is appropriate for all ages. * `custom` - A custom image for the video. * `default` - The default image for the video.
  - `uri` string, required: The picture's URI.

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/vimeo/apis/vimeo-api.md) - [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/vimeo/apis/vimeo-api/llms.txt) - [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/vimeo/apis/vimeo-api/revisions/ea882e0224a4?raw)