YouTube Shorts Length Limits
YouTube Shorts can be up to 60 seconds long. That's the hard ceiling—anything longer automatically becomes a regular video and won't appear in the Shorts feed. There's no official minimum, though clips under a few seconds rarely hold attention long enough to matter.
The 60-second limit exists because the format is designed for quick, swipeable content. When a video crosses that threshold, YouTube treats it as standard long-form: different discovery algorithm, different viewer expectations, different monetization rules. If you want the Shorts feed, stay under the line.
Don't aim for 60. Aim for replays. The best-performing Shorts aren't the longest ones—they're the ones viewers watch twice. A tight 22-second video that loops seamlessly will outperform a padded 58-second video every time.
Aspect Ratio Requirements
Vertical video (9:16) is non-negotiable for Shorts. The entire format is built around full-screen mobile viewing—when someone swipes through their feed, your video should fill their phone from edge to edge. Anything else feels like a compromise.
Horizontal footage can technically upload, but it appears tiny with black bars consuming most of the screen. Viewers instinctively swipe past it because it reads as "not made for this." Square (1:1) performs slightly better than horizontal, but still wastes valuable screen real estate. If you want the algorithm to push your content—and viewers to stop scrolling—shoot vertical.
Specs That Matter
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (portrait orientation)
- Resolution: 1080 × 1920 pixels for sharp playback
- Safe margins: Keep text 150px from top/bottom edges
- Subtitles: Size them for thumbs, not desktops
The safe margin rule matters more than most creators realize. YouTube overlays your title, like button, and comment icon on top of your video. If your text sits too close to the edges, it gets buried.
Optimal Length for Engagement
There's no universal "best length" for Shorts—but there is a best length for your idea. The right duration depends on three factors: how many ideas you're packing in, how fast you're moving, and whether the ending invites a rewatch.
Idea density is the simplest filter. One idea? Keep it tight. Multiple points or a narrative arc? You'll need more runway. Cramming three concepts into 15 seconds creates confusion; stretching one joke to 55 seconds creates boredom.
Pacing determines how long viewers tolerate any given length. High-energy edits with frequent cuts and visual changes can sustain attention for a full minute. Slower, more contemplative content needs to deliver value faster or risk the swipe.
Loop potential is underrated. If your last frame flows naturally into your first, you'll get free replays—and the algorithm notices. Design your ending as a beginning.
Pick Your Length Based on the Job
- Quick tip or fact: 15–25 seconds
- Reveal or transformation: 20–35 seconds
- Mini tutorial: 30–45 seconds
- Short story or narrative: 40–60 seconds
- Reaction or commentary: 20–40 seconds
These ranges are starting points, not rules. Your analytics will tell you what actually works for your audience. Watch for the drop-off point in retention graphs—that's where your videos should end.
Resolution and Quality
Export at 1080 × 1920 pixels. This is the sweet spot—sharp enough to look professional on any phone, small enough to upload quickly. Higher resolutions like 4K are overkill for a format designed for mobile screens; YouTube will compress them anyway.
Frame rate is simpler than most guides make it sound. Use 30fps for talking-head content and most standard footage. Use 60fps if you're showing fast motion, gaming, or anything where smoothness matters. Most viewers won't consciously notice the difference, but choppy action footage feels wrong.
For file format, MP4 with H.264 encoding is the safe default. It's universally compatible and uploads reliably. If your editing software offers HEVC/H.265, that works too—smaller files, same quality. Avoid obscure codecs that might cause processing delays.
The most common quality mistake isn't resolution—it's lighting. A well-lit 720p video looks better than a dark, noisy 4K one. If you're shooting on a phone, face a window. Natural light solves most problems.
How to Create Shorts
You can create directly in the YouTube app or upload pre-edited content. Both paths work—the app is faster for quick captures, while external editing gives you more control. Here's the streamlined workflow for either approach.
- Open the YouTube app, tap +, and select Create a Short—or upload any vertical video under 60 seconds through the normal upload flow
- If recording in-app, capture footage in segments (you can pause and resume) and add music, text, or filters from YouTube's built-in tools
- Add a clear, descriptive title—you can include #Shorts in the title or description, but YouTube usually detects the format automatically
- Verify your video meets the requirements: vertical orientation, under 60 seconds, and reasonable resolution
- Publish and monitor the first hour of performance—early engagement signals matter
Repurposing long-form content is one of the smartest Short strategies. Pull the most compelling 30 seconds from a longer video, reframe it for vertical if needed, and use it to drive viewers back to the full piece. One long video can fuel a week of Shorts.
Shorts vs Regular Videos
These formats serve different jobs in your channel strategy. Understanding when to use each helps you stop treating them as interchangeable.
Discovery vs Depth
Shorts excel at reaching new people. The feed pushes content to viewers who've never heard of you based on topic and engagement signals. It's a top-of-funnel format—broad reach, shallow connection. Long-form builds the relationship. Viewers who watch a 15-minute video are invested; they're more likely to subscribe, comment, and return.
Revenue Reality
Long-form videos generate significantly more revenue per view through mid-roll ads and higher CPMs. Shorts monetization exists but pays a fraction of what traditional videos earn. If revenue is your goal, Shorts are marketing for your long-form catalog—not a replacement. See our Shorts monetization guide for the full breakdown.
Use Shorts When…
- You have a single idea that doesn't need setup or context
- You're reacting to something trending and speed matters
- You want to tease a longer video and drive traffic to it
- You're testing content angles before investing in full production
- You need to maintain posting momentum between bigger projects
Use long-form when the idea needs room to breathe—tutorials, deep dives, storytelling, anything where rushing would undercut the value. If you find yourself cutting corners to hit 60 seconds, that's a sign the content wants to be longer.
Shorts Best Practices
The most rewatched Shorts follow a simple three-part structure: hook, payoff, loop. The hook grabs attention in the first two seconds—a bold claim, an unexpected visual, a question that demands an answer. The payoff delivers on that promise before the viewer loses patience. And the loop? That's the ending designed to flow seamlessly into the beginning, triggering an automatic replay that tells the algorithm your content is sticky.
You don't need fancy editing or expensive gear. You need clarity about what you're offering and the discipline to cut everything that doesn't serve it.
Shorts That Get Rewatched Usually Have…
- An opening line that creates instant curiosity or tension
- Text overlays that reinforce the message (many watch muted)
- A payoff that arrives before viewers expect to swipe
- An ending that feels like a beginning—smooth loop potential
- One clear idea, not three competing for attention
Consistency matters more than perfection. A creator posting three decent Shorts per week will learn faster and grow faster than someone agonizing over one "perfect" video per month. The algorithm rewards activity, and you'll only discover what works through volume.
Pick one idea, pick one length, post 10 times, then look for the pattern. Your analytics will teach you more than any guide can. The only way to find your optimal length is to test, measure, and iterate.