YouTube Shorts size: dimensions, aspect ratio and length (2026)
Short answer: make Shorts 1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical frame. YouTube counts any vertical or square video up to 3 minutes as a Short and gives 1080p as the maximum resolution for Short uploads. A 16:9 video stays long-form.
YouTube Shorts specs at a glance
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1080 × 1920 px (9:16, the largest full-screen vertical frame at 1080p) | Derived from the two rows below |
| Aspect ratio | Square or vertical. Wider formats such as 16:9 remain long-form videos. | Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts |
| Maximum resolution | 1080p for Short uploads | Get started creating YouTube Shorts |
| Maximum length | 3 minutes (uploads after 15 October 2024; earlier uploads keep their old category) | Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts |
| Over 1 minute | Blocked globally while it has an active copyright claim of any type; Shorts under 1 minute are not subject to this | Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts |
| Description | 5,000 characters (caption length checker) | YouTube Data API |
Older guides still say Shorts are limited to 60 seconds. That changed in October 2024. YouTube's help pages don't publish a separate Shorts frame-rate or file-size limit, so none is given here. Checked 30 October 2026.
Does my video fit Shorts?
Choose a video file to check it. It is read in your browser and never uploaded.
The checker reads width, height and length. It can't see copyright claims, frame rate or codec.
Shorts safe zone
The Shorts player puts the title, channel name and audio label along the bottom and the like, dislike, comment and share buttons down the right side. The shaded areas in this illustration are approximate. Google publishes the vertical safe area as a 1080 × 1920 template image rather than as numbers (Google Ads Help, video ad specs). Save that image and load it as an overlay in the safe zone checker to test your own frame.
How to make a video Shorts-ready
- Start from a video you own, with audio you have the rights to. Open it in Millwards Studio; the file is read in your browser.
- Choose 9:16 vertical or 1:1 square. A 16:9 clip will not become a Short, so reframe it (see landscape to vertical or crop to square).
- Trim to 3 minutes or less, and ideally to the hook. Keep it under 1 minute if any part could draw a copyright claim.
- Keep captions clear of the bottom and right edges where YouTube's labels and buttons sit.
- Export and upload. Free exports are 720p WebM made in your browser, with a watermark. Pro (£12 per month) exports 1080p MP4 with no watermark.
Related sizes
- Instagram Reels size: also 1080 × 1920, with Meta's published limits.
- TikTok, Reels and Shorts sizes side by side.
FAQ
What size is a YouTube Short?
Use 1080 x 1920 pixels at 9:16. YouTube says Shorts are vertical or square and gives 1080p as the maximum resolution for Short uploads, so 1080 x 1920 is the largest full-screen vertical frame.
How long can a YouTube Short be?
Up to 3 minutes. Since 15 October 2024, videos up to three minutes long with a square or vertical aspect ratio are categorised as Shorts.
Can a YouTube Short be square?
Yes. YouTube categorises square and vertical videos up to three minutes long as Shorts. Wider videos such as 16:9 stay long-form.
Why is my Short over 1 minute blocked?
YouTube blocks Shorts longer than one minute that have an active copyright claim of any type. Remove the claimed content or dispute the claim. Shorts under one minute are not subject to this rule.
Will a 16:9 video become a Short?
No. YouTube treats wider formats such as 16:9 as long-form videos. Reframe the video to 9:16 or 1:1 first.
Is my video uploaded when I use the checker?
No. Your browser reads the file's size and length on your device. Nothing is sent to Millwards Studio.