Extract a frame from video the exact frame, at full resolution.
Extracting a frame means saving one frame of a video as an image. Load the video, step frame by frame with the arrow keys or type a timecode, then save the frame as PNG or JPG at the video's own resolution. Capture as many as you want: each one shows the timecode it came from.
Free, no sign-upLeft and right arrows: 1 frame. Shift plus arrows: 1 second. Space on the video: play or pause.
Captured frames show up here, with their timecode.
Clips and chapters from the same video, ready to go: we make them. Try it free
How to extract a frame from a video
- 01
Load the video
MP4, MOV or WebM. We measure the frame rate of the video so frame by frame stepping is exact.
- 02
Find the frame
Slide to the moment, fine tune with the arrow keys (1 frame) or Shift plus arrows (1 second), or type a timecode.
- 03
Capture and download
Choose PNG or JPG and capture. Each frame joins the list with its timecode and resolution, ready to download one by one or all at once.
How do you extract a frame from a video without losing quality?
A screenshot saves what your monitor shows: the video shrunk to the size of the player, sometimes with a progress bar, captions or the cursor on top. Extracting the frame is different. It comes out at the file's own resolution, so a 4K video becomes a 3840 x 2160 image and a vertical phone video becomes 1080 x 1920, with nothing on top.
The format decides the rest. PNG keeps the frame with no loss at all and is the best starting point for editing, cropping or making a thumbnail. JPG, saved here at 95% quality, is much smaller and works for messaging, documents or posting as is.
| Format | Quality | File size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNG | Lossless, identical to the video frame | Larger | Editing, cropping, thumbnails, print |
| JPG | Light compression (95%) | Much smaller | Messaging, documents, social posts |
How do you step through a video frame by frame?
Once the video is loaded, the arrow keys move one frame back or forward, and Shift plus the arrows moves a full second. On a phone, use the buttons under the video. The current frame shows its number, timecode and time in seconds, so you can note it down and come back to the exact same spot later.
For one frame steps to be exact, the tool needs to know the frame rate. It is measured when the video opens and shown in the fps selector. If your video is 29.97 fps and the measurement fails, pick it in the selector: it is the usual rate for phones and cameras in the US.
- Right or left arrow: 1 frame.
- Shift plus arrow: 1 second.
- Space, with focus on the video: play or pause.
- Typed timecode: jumps straight to the frame.
How do you export a frame in Premiere, DaVinci and Final Cut?
If the video is still open in your editor, you can save the frame there. In Premiere Pro, park on the frame and click Export Frame, the camera icon on the Program Monitor. In DaVinci Resolve, right-click the viewer, choose Grab Still and export the image from the Gallery. In Final Cut Pro, use Share and Save Current Frame.
When the video is already exported, came from a phone or was sent by someone else, it is quicker to extract it here. The timecode shown counts from the start of the file (00:00:00:00). If your timeline starts at 01:00:00:00, add one hour to find the same spot in the editor.
What can you use an extracted frame for?
The most common use is a thumbnail: a frame with a good expression, no blink and no motion blur, which then gets a title and color. But the exact frame also helps with editing and record keeping.
- A YouTube thumbnail or a Reels, Shorts or TikTok cover.
- A photo of a moment from a ceremony, a service or an event.
- A color or framing reference for your editor.
- A record of a slide, a sign or a screen recording.
- A continuity check between one shot and the next.
More than a frame. The whole video becomes ready to use.
See also
Frequently asked questions
How do I extract a high quality frame from a video?
Load the video, stop on the frame you want and capture it as PNG. The frame comes out at the file's original resolution, without the player interface and without the quality loss of a screenshot. A 1080p video gives a 1920 x 1080 image, a 4K one gives 3840 x 2160.
Should I save the frame as PNG or JPG?
PNG keeps the frame with no loss at all and makes a larger file. It is the best choice for editing or making a thumbnail. JPG, saved here at 95% quality, is much smaller and looks nearly identical. Use JPG for messaging or documents.
How do I jump to an exact frame by timecode?
Type the timecode in the Go to timecode field, as HH:MM:SS:FF, and press Go. For example, 00:01:05:12 is 1 minute, 5 seconds and 12 frames. The last number has to be lower than the chosen frame rate, such as 0 to 29 at 30 fps.
Why does the frame rate show 29.97?
Because many phones and cameras record at 29.97 fps, a leftover from color TV. The gap to 30 fps is small but it adds up: after a few minutes, the timecode points to a different frame. The tool measures the rate when the video opens, and you can change it in the selector.
Can I extract several frames from the same video?
Yes. Each capture joins the list with its timecode and resolution. Download them one at a time or all at once, and remove the ones you do not need. Every file name includes the frame's timecode, so they stay in order in your folder.
Which video formats work?
MP4 with H.264 and WebM open in any current browser. iPhone MOV files in HEVC open in Safari and in browsers with HEVC support on your system. If a video does not open, export it as MP4 from your editor and load it again.
Clips and chapters from the same video, ready. We make them.
Upload the long video. We transcribe it, mark the chapters and deliver the strongest moments as vertical clips with animated captions, ready to post.
See the result on your own recording before adding a card.