A YouTube Short can last up to 3 minutes, for videos uploaded after October 15, 2024, and it must be square or vertical.
The official rule
| Maximum length | 3 minutes |
|---|---|
| Applies to | videos uploaded after October 15, 2024 |
| Shape | square or vertical |
YouTube Help adds that the date was later for Official Artist Channels: December 8, 2025.
Source: YouTube Help on Shorts length. Checked on October 11, 2026.
How long should your Short be?
The limit is a ceiling, not a target. A good length is the shortest one that delivers the idea completely.
- One tip, one joke, one result: keep it short and get to the point in the first seconds.
- A process, such as a recipe or a repair, may need the extra time. Cut every pause and keep each step on screen only as long as needed.
- A story works when every beat moves it forward. If a part can go without losing the meaning, cut it.
After publishing, look at how long viewers stay in YouTube Studio Analytics. If many leave at the same moment, that part is the one to shorten next time.
Check before you export
- Trim the video to 3 minutes or less in your editor, end screen and credits included.
- Export in a vertical or square shape. The Shorts size guide has the details and a calculator.
- Prepare a vertical thumbnail if you want a custom one: 2160 × 3840 pixels is recommended, added from YouTube Studio on a computer.
Shorts and monetization
Shorts can count toward the YouTube Partner Program through their own path: today 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days, with 20 million Shorts views in the last 90 days announced for new applicants from February 1, 2027. Watch time from the Shorts feed does not count toward the watch-hours path. See monetization requirements.
FAQ
Can a Short be 60 seconds or longer?
Yes. Any length up to 3 minutes works for videos uploaded after October 15, 2024.
Can a horizontal video be a Short?
No. YouTube Help says Shorts are square or vertical.
What is the minimum length of a Short?
YouTube Help does not set one on its Shorts length page. Keep it long enough to deliver the idea.