What are the YouTube Shorts length requirements?

The YouTube Shorts length requirements are vertical or square video up to 3 minutes long. YouTube raised the Shorts limit from 60 seconds to 3 minutes in October 2024.

What is the best length for a YouTube Short?

For most brand and creator videos, 25–50 seconds is the useful range: long enough to earn watch time, short enough to keep momentum. Use 15–35 seconds for reach, 25–50 seconds for retention and 40–60 seconds for education.

Do YouTube Shorts still have to be under 60 seconds?

No. Shorts can now be up to 3 minutes, but the old 60-second habit is still a good creative constraint when the idea does not need more room.

Can a 3-minute video be a YouTube Short?

Yes, as long as it is vertical or square and 3 minutes or less. For search-style answers and tutorials, use the extra time only if each section keeps the viewer moving.

What size should a YouTube Short be?

Use 1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. The specs and safe-zone frame above show where YouTube’s title and buttons cover the video.

YouTube Shorts Length Guide

The current Shorts time limit, practical length targets by goal and the frame specs to export the video cleanly.

Current limit3 min

Practical range25–50s

Export size1080×1920

Goal	Length	Use it for
Reach	15–35s	Fast, loopable and easy to finish.
Retention	25–50s	Enough room for a setup, payoff and rewatchable ending.
Education	40–60s	Best for one complete answer, checklist or mini tutorial.
Story	45–90s	Works when the opening loop makes the payoff worth staying for.

Format

Safe

9:16

App UI covers the shaded edges. Keep content inside the dashed area.

Resolution: 1080 × 1920
Aspect ratio: 9:16
Max duration: 3 minutes (raised from 60s in Oct 2024)
Max file size: No Shorts-specific cap (platform max ~256 GB)
File types: MP4, MOV, WebM
Frame rate: 30 or 60 fps

The title, channel name and description sit bottom-left; like / dislike / comment / share / remix run down the right. Keep content clear of the bottom ~20% and right ~12%.

Resolutions and aspect ratios are stable; durations, file-size limits, crops and safe-zone margins reflect the major social platforms as of June 2026 and shift over time. Confirm in-app before a high-stakes upload.

Frequently asked

What are the YouTube Shorts length requirements?: The YouTube Shorts length requirements are vertical or square video up to 3 minutes long. YouTube raised the Shorts limit from 60 seconds to 3 minutes in October 2024.
What is the best length for a YouTube Short?: For most brand and creator videos, 25–50 seconds is the useful range: long enough to earn watch time, short enough to keep momentum. Use 15–35 seconds for reach, 25–50 seconds for retention and 40–60 seconds for education.
Do YouTube Shorts still have to be under 60 seconds?: No. Shorts can now be up to 3 minutes, but the old 60-second habit is still a good creative constraint when the idea does not need more room.
Can a 3-minute video be a YouTube Short?: Yes, as long as it is vertical or square and 3 minutes or less. For search-style answers and tutorials, use the extra time only if each section keeps the viewer moving.
What size should a YouTube Short be?: Use 1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. The specs and safe-zone frame above show where YouTube’s title and buttons cover the video.

Bevyl turns raw footage into tight Shorts with the right length, pacing, captions and export size.

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