guide
YouTube Shorts size, length and format
YouTube decides whether an upload is a Short from its shape and length, not from a setting you tick. Rules like these change, so confirm them on YouTube’s own help page before you plan a batch of videos. This is what the guides we read agreed on at the time of writing.
See how a video sits on a phone screen
9:16 fills the whole phone screen.
The short version
- Shape: vertical or square. Horizontal 16:9 video is not a Short.
- Best ratio: 9:16, for example 1080 by 1920 pixels.
- Length: up to 3 minutes for uploads made since October 2024. Older guides that say 60 seconds are out of date.
- No minimum length is required.
Why 9:16 is the safe choice
Square video qualifies, but a 9:16 clip fills the whole phone screen, which is where most people watch. Shooting or exporting at 1080 by 1920 avoids black bars and gives you the most room for your subject.
Export settings to start with
- Resolution: 1080 by 1920.
- Frame rate: match your source, commonly 24, 30 or 60 frames per second.
- Format: MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio is widely accepted.
- Keep the file size reasonable so mobile uploads do not stall.
Keep text inside the safe area
The Shorts player draws buttons, the title and the channel name over the video. Keep captions and important faces away from the very top and especially the bottom edge and the right-hand side, or they may sit behind the interface. Preview on a real phone before you publish, or drop your video into our Shorts preview checker to see it in the Shorts frame next to Reels and TikTok.
Converting a horizontal video
You can reframe a 16:9 video to 9:16 by cropping to the subject, or by placing the full frame in the middle with a blurred copy behind it. Cropping looks more native but loses the sides, so check that the action stays in frame. Our guide to turning a long video into Shorts walks through the steps.
Common mistakes with Shorts files
- Uploading a 16:9 video and expecting it to become a Short.
- Leaving black bars at the top and bottom after a bad crop.
- Putting captions at the very bottom, where the interface covers them.
- Exporting at a very low resolution, which looks soft on a large phone.
- Trusting an old guide that still says Shorts are limited to 60 seconds.
Checking the result before you publish
- Export the file and copy it to your phone.
- Play it full-screen and look at all four edges.
- Confirm that faces and captions sit clear of where the buttons appear.
- Listen with headphones and without sound to confirm both versions work.
Reels and TikTok use a similar shape
Instagram Reels and TikTok also centre on vertical 9:16 video, so one 1080 by 1920 export is a good master file for all three. Each platform has its own length limits and interface overlays, so check each platform’s help page and keep text in the safe middle area.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Short be 3 minutes long?
At the time of writing, yes: vertical or square uploads up to 3 minutes can appear as Shorts. Check YouTube’s help page for the current limit.
Does a 16:9 video ever count as a Short?
No. A horizontal video is a regular video, however short it is.
What resolution should I export a Short at?
A common choice is 1080 by 1920. Higher resolutions are sometimes accepted, but check what the platform says it supports.
Can I upload the same file to Shorts, Reels and TikTok?
Usually yes, as long as it is vertical and within each platform’s length limit. Check for platform watermarks if you download from one app to post on another.
Keep reading
- Shorts preview checker: see your video in every app
- How to turn a long video into Shorts
- How to add captions to short videos
Some links on this site are affiliate links; see the disclosure. Platform rules and limits change, so confirm them on the platform’s own help pages.