Enter four numbers from YouTube Studio and see where your channel stands for both levels of the YouTube Partner Program, with what is left to reach each one.
The two thresholds
| Ad revenue | Lower tier (channel memberships) | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 1,000 subscribers | 500 subscribers |
| Uploads | – | 3 public uploads in the last 90 days |
| Path 1 | 4,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days | 3,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days |
| or Path 2 | 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days | 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days |
Source: YouTube Help, YouTube Partner Program overview and eligibility. Checked on October 11, 2026.
You need the subscribers and one of the two paths, not both. Long videos count through watch hours, Shorts through views.
What changes on February 1, 2027
In a post on its official blog on August 10, 2026, YouTube announced new entry thresholds for ad revenue. From February 1, 2027, new applicants will need 8,000 watch hours in the last 365 days or 20 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. Channels already in the program are not affected, and the thresholds for channel memberships and shopping stay the same. The post does not mention any change to the subscriber requirement.
From the same date, Shorts ad revenue sharing will be limited to channels with 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days; channels below that keep earning from their long-form videos. The checker switches to the new thresholds automatically on February 1, 2027.
Source: YouTube Official Blog, “New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program”.
Where to find your numbers
- Subscribers and public watch hours: in YouTube Studio, the Earn section shows your progress toward the program.
- Shorts views over the last 90 days: in YouTube Studio Analytics, filtered on Shorts.
- Public uploads over the last 90 days: count the videos published in your Content tab.
What does not count
- Shorts watch time. YouTube Help states that watch hours from Shorts in the Shorts feed do not count toward the 4,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days.
- Private and unlisted videos. The thresholds refer to public watch hours and public uploads.
- Old activity. Watch hours are counted over the last 365 days and Shorts views over the last 90 days, so the totals move every day.
Beyond the numbers
Meeting the thresholds lets you apply. You also need to live in a country or region where the program is available and to follow YouTube’s monetization policies. YouTube Help also warns that monetization can be turned off for channels with no uploads or posts for six months or more.
Once you are in, the money calculator turns your views and your RPM into an income estimate.
FAQ
How many subscribers do you need to get paid on YouTube?
1,000 subscribers for ad revenue, plus 4,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. The lower tier starts at 500 subscribers.
Do Shorts views count toward monetization?
Yes, through their own path: 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. Shorts watch time does not count toward the watch-hours path.
Does the checker connect to my channel?
No. You type the numbers yourself and nothing leaves your browser.