YouTube’s default video shape is 16:9. The most common sizes are 1920 × 1080 (1080p, HD) and 3840 × 2160 (2160p, 4K).
Recommended YouTube resolutions
| Name | Width × height (pixels) |
|---|---|
| 4320p (8K) | 7680 × 4320 |
| 2160p (4K) | 3840 × 2160 |
| 1440p | 2560 × 1440 |
| 1080p (HD) | 1920 × 1080 |
| 720p (HD) | 1280 × 720 |
| 480p (SD) | 854 × 480 |
| 360p (SD) | 640 × 360 |
| 240p (SD) | 426 × 240 |
Source: YouTube Help, recommended upload encoding settings. Checked on October 11, 2026.
Which resolution should you export?
Export at the resolution you filmed in, as long as it is one of the sizes above. Uploading a larger file does not make a phone video sharper, and enlarging footage adds blur instead of detail.
- 1920 × 1080 is the safe default: every camera and phone records it, files stay manageable and it looks clean on most screens.
- 3840 × 2160 makes sense if you filmed in 4K and want the best picture on TVs and large monitors. Exports are slower and files are much heavier.
- 1280 × 720 is fine for screen recordings of simple apps or slides, when file size matters more than detail.
What happens with other shapes
All the sizes above share the 16:9 shape. If your video has another shape, YouTube still accepts it, but the player has to fit it into the frame.
For vertical 9:16 videos watched on a computer, YouTube Help explains that the player adds padding on the sides: white by default, dark gray in dark theme. YouTube also advises against adding bars or padding to the video file yourself, since the player already adapts to the shape. Vertical videos up to 3 minutes can be Shorts: see the Shorts size guide.
How to use the calculator
- Type the width and height of your video in pixels. Your editing app shows them in the export or project settings.
- Read the aspect ratio and whether the size matches one of YouTube’s standard resolutions.
- To resize, type a new width: the calculator gives the height that keeps the same shape.
FAQ
What is the best video size for YouTube?
For most creators, 1920 × 1080 in 16:9. Go up to 3840 × 2160 only if you filmed in 4K.
Is 1080 × 1920 a good size for YouTube?
That is a vertical 9:16 video, a common choice for Shorts. As a regular video on a computer, it plays with padding on both sides.
Does YouTube accept 4:3 videos?
Yes. YouTube accepts other shapes and the player adapts to them. In a 16:9 player, a 4:3 video shows empty space on the sides.