FFmpeg recipe

FFmpeg: Extract a Single Frame as a JPG

Combine -ss (seek) with -vframes 1 to grab one frame at a precise timestamp.

Command

ffmpeg -ss 00:00:10 -i input.mp4 -vframes 1 -q:v 2 -y thumbnail.jpg

Prefer no terminal?

Use the Frame Extractor in your browser

-ss	Seek to this timestamp (HH:MM:SS or seconds). Place BEFORE -i for fast keyframe seek; AFTER -i for sample-accurate seek.
-i	Input file. Can be a video, audio, or image. Repeat for multiple inputs.
-y	Overwrite output file without confirmation.
-vframes 1	Output exactly one video frame.
-q:v 2	JPEG quality (2 = highest). Range 1–31, lower = better.

For PNG output (lossless), drop -q:v and use thumbnail.png.
For multiple thumbnails at intervals, use -vf fps=1/30 to grab one frame every 30 seconds.

ffprobe -v error -show_entries stream=width,height -of csv=p=0 frame.png

The full source resolution, since a frame grab should not be scaled.

-ss before -i is fast, after is exact	Before the input seeks to the nearest keyframe instantly. After it decodes up to the timestamp and gives you that exact frame.
-q:v is JPEG quality, inverted	2 is near-lossless and 31 is the worst. It is not a percentage, and higher is not better.
PNG for graphics	Swap the extension for .png when the frame is a screenshot or has text. JPEG artefacts around sharp edges are obvious.

The frame is black.

Why: The timestamp landed on a fade, or before the first decodable frame.

Fix: Move the timestamp a second later, and place -ss after -i for an accurate grab rather than a keyframe one.

Many images were written instead of one.

Why: Without -frames:v 1 or -vframes 1, FFmpeg keeps writing frames until the input ends.

Fix: Add -frames:v 1.