---
title: "Get file thumbnail"
method: GET
path: "/files/{file_id}/thumbnail.{extension}"
tags: ["Files"]
---

# Get file thumbnail

`GET /files/{file_id}/thumbnail.{extension}`

Retrieves a thumbnail, or smaller image representation, of a file.

Sizes of `32x32`,`64x64`, `128x128`, and `256x256` can be returned in
the `.png` format and sizes of `32x32`, `160x160`, and `320x320`
can be returned in the `.jpg` format.

Thumbnails can be generated for the image and video file formats listed
[found on our community site][1].

[1]: https://community.box.com/t5/Migrating-and-Previewing-Content/File-Types-and-Fonts-Supported-in-Box-Content-Preview/ta-p/327

## Path parameters

- `file_id` string, required
- `extension` 'png' | 'jpg', required

## Query parameters

- `min_height` integer
- `min_width` integer
- `max_height` integer
- `max_width` integer

## Response `200`

When a thumbnail can be created the thumbnail data will be
returned in the body of the response.

## Other responses

- `202` — Sometimes generating a thumbnail can take a few seconds. In these situations the API returns a `Location`-header pointing to a placeholder graphic for this file type. The placeholder graphic can be used in a user interface until the thumbnail generation has completed. The `Retry-After`-header indicates when to the thumbnail will be ready. At that time, retry this endpoint to retrieve the thumbnail.
- `302` — Returns an error when Box is not able to create a thumbnail for this file type. Instead, a `Location`-header pointing to a placeholder graphic for this file type will be returned.
- `400` — Returns an error if some of the parameters are missing or not valid. * `requested_preview_unavailable` - an incorrect dimension was requested. This will happen if the dimension requested is larger or smaller than the available file sizes for the thumbnail format, or when when any of the size constraints contradict each other.
- `403` — Returned when the access token provided in the `Authorization` header is not recognized or not provided.
- `404` — Returned if the file is not found, or the user does not have access to the file, or for additional reasons. * `preview_cannot_be_generated` - Box does not support thumbnails for this type of file.
- `default` — An unexpected client error.

---

[API](https://skmtc.net/box/apis/platform-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.net/box/apis/platform-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-staging.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/box/platform-api/revisions/ba8f087e1a4d/schema)