---
title: "Get a source thumbnail or animated preview"
method: GET
path: "/v1/videos/{id}/clips/{clipId}/sources/{sourceId}/thumbnail"
tags: ["Clips"]
---

# Get a source thumbnail or animated preview

`GET /v1/videos/{id}/clips/{clipId}/sources/{sourceId}/thumbnail`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.tella.com`
- URL: `https://api.tella.com/v1/videos/{id}/clips/{clipId}/sources/{sourceId}/thumbnail`
- Auth: HTTP bearer
- TypeScript: <https://skmtc.dev/withchima/apis/tella-public-api/docs/v1/videos/:id/clips/:clipId/sources/:sourceId/thumbnail/get.ts> (a function with typed inputs; its response is checked against the schema)

Get a thumbnail of a source. If you pass `width`/`height`, the aspect ratio must match the source's native ratio. Omit both to default to the source's native size.

## Path parameters

- `id` string, required: Video ID
- `clipId` string, required: Clip ID
- `sourceId` string, required: Source ID

## Query parameters

- `format` 'jpg' | 'png' | 'webp' | 'gif' | 'mp4': Output format. Defaults to jpg. Image sources support only still thumbnails (jpg, png or webp); gif and mp4 return a 400 error.
- `startTimeMs` integer: Frame offset in ms from the source's start. Defaults to 0.
- `durationMs` integer: Duration of the animated preview in ms. Only valid when format is gif or mp4.
- `width` integer: Output width in pixels. The thumbnail keeps the source's aspect ratio; a missing side is derived from it.
- `height` integer: Output height in pixels. Derived from the source's aspect ratio when omitted.
- `download` union: Suggest a download disposition on the signed URL.
  - 'true'
  - 'false'
- `response` 'json': Set to 'json' to receive `{url}` instead of the default 302 redirect.

## Response `200`

Returned when `?response=json` is set

- ThumbnailResponse: Signed CDN URL for the requested thumbnail. Returned only when `?response=json` is set; otherwise the endpoint redirects to the URL with a 302.
  - `url` string, uri, required

## Other responses

- `302`: Redirect to the signed CDN URL
- `400`: The request was malformed or contained invalid parameters.
- `401`: Authentication is required. Provide a valid API key.
- `403`: You don't have permission to access this resource.
- `404`: The requested resource was not found.
- `409`: The request conflicts with the resource's current state, e.g. an Idempotency-Key whose first request is still in progress. Retry once it settles.
- `429`: You have exceeded the rate limit. Please slow down.
- `500`: An unexpected error occurred
- `501`: The requested operation is not implemented.
- `503`: A dependency was unavailable and the request was not executed. Safe to resend unchanged after the Retry-After delay.

## Changes

> 72 revisions in range; 1 not diffed.

- **2026-09-28** `ac47c99c144f`: 9 warning
  - added the new `edit_conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `400`
  - added the new `edit_conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `401`
  - added the new `edit_conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `403`
  - added the new `edit_conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `404`
  - …5 more
- **2026-09-09** `6b1132ef42fb`: 14 warning, 2 info
  - added the new `conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `400`
  - added the new `conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `401`
  - added the new `conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `403`
  - added the new `conflict` enum value to the `error` response property for the response status `404`
  - …12 more
- **2026-09-02** `cd69045c703a`: 1 warning, 1 info
  - deleted the `query` request parameter `inpointMs`
  - added the new optional `query` request parameter `startTimeMs`

[Operation history](https://skmtc.dev/withchima/apis/tella-public-api/changes/v1/videos/:id/clips/:clipId/sources/:sourceId/thumbnail/get.md)

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/withchima/apis/tella-public-api.md) - [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/withchima/apis/tella-public-api/llms.txt) - [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/withchima/apis/tella-public-api/revisions/ca74daaf9201?raw)