YouTube does not publish one required pixel size for videos. Its Help Center lists the 16:9 resolutions from 240p to 8K, says the player adapts to vertical and square uploads, and defines Shorts as square or vertical videos up to three minutes. This page separates those stated rules from the 1080 x 1920 figure that guides quote and YouTube's pages do not print, and lists the upload limits.
YouTube video dimensions at a glance
YouTube does not name one required size for a video. The standard aspect ratio on a computer is 16:9, and the usual target from YouTube's resolution list is 1920 x 1080, which it calls 1080p (HD). Vertical and square videos can be uploaded as they are, because the player automatically adapts to the size of each video. A square or vertical video of up to three minutes is categorized as a Short.
| Shape | Example size | What YouTube states |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape, 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | Standard aspect ratio on a computer. 1920 x 1080 is on YouTube's resolution list. |
| Square, 1:1 | 1080 x 1080 | The player adapts. Up to three minutes, it counts as a Short. |
| Vertical, 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | The player adapts. Up to three minutes, it counts as a Short. |
Only 1920 x 1080 is a YouTube figure. The square and vertical sizes are our arithmetic, using a width of 1080 pixels. YouTube's pages give no pixel size for them.
Resolutions for 16:9 videos
For the default 16:9 aspect ratio, YouTube's Help Center lists the resolutions to encode at. Its separate page on upload encoding gives a recommended bitrate for each, for reference only.
| Name | Dimensions | Recommended bitrate (SDR, 24 to 30 frames per second) |
|---|---|---|
| 8K | 7680 x 4320 | 80 to 160 Mbps |
| 4K (2160p) | 3840 x 2160 | 35 to 45 Mbps |
| 2K (1440p) | 2560 x 1440 | 16 Mbps |
| HD (1080p) | 1920 x 1080 | 8 Mbps |
| HD (720p) | 1280 x 720 | 5 Mbps |
| SD (480p) | 854 x 480 | 2.5 Mbps |
| SD (360p) | 640 x 360 | 1 Mbps |
| SD (240p) | 426 x 240 | Not listed |
Two details from those pages. YouTube says no bitrate limit is required, and that content should be uploaded at the frame rate it was recorded, for example 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 or 60 frames per second. Since 2022 it has also been removing playback support for resolutions between 4K and 8K, so 5K, for example, may no longer be supported.
The encoding page opens with a note that its features are only available to partners who use YouTube Studio Content Manager, so treat the bitrates as guidance rather than a rule for ordinary uploads.
Vertical and square videos
YouTube's own description is short. On a computer, a video that is not 16:9 makes the player change to the ideal size for that video and the viewer's device. For some shapes, such as 9:16 vertical videos in a computer browser, YouTube may add padding. The padding is white by default and dark gray when Dark theme is on. YouTube's advice is to avoid adding padding or black bars to your video yourself, because that stops the player from adapting to your video size and the viewer's device.
In the YouTube app on Android, iPhone and iPad, the video fills the screen whether it is vertical, square or horizontal. The player gets taller for square and vertical videos and shorter for widescreen ones, and tapping the icon at the bottom right of a vertical video opens vertical full screen so you can see the whole video.
Export the file in the shape you shot it, without bars. YouTube lists resolutions only for 16:9 and does not say how it names the resolution of a vertical video. If you also post the same vertical video elsewhere, the Instagram Reel size guide and the TikTok video size guide cover those platforms' own ranges.
YouTube Shorts size
YouTube states Shorts rules as a shape and a length, not as pixels. A Short is a file that is square or vertical and up to three minutes long. Shorts can be uploaded through the YouTube app and YouTube Studio, and on a computer you can choose up to 15 short videos at a time.
The automatic rule matters most. YouTube says any video uploaded on or after October 15, 2024 with a square or vertical aspect ratio, up to three minutes long, will be categorized as a Short. A two-minute vertical video is a Short whether or not you meant it to be. Videos uploaded before that date stay long-form. To keep a video out of Shorts, YouTube says to use a wider aspect ratio such as 16:9.
On resolution, the only figure we found is a note in the Help Center's Shorts creation steps: you can upload Short videos with a maximum resolution of 1080p. That note sits in the steps for recording in the app, and the page does not say whether it also covers files uploaded from a computer. It is a ceiling, not a recommended size.
What YouTube does not publish, on the pages read for this guide: a pixel size for Shorts, and a safe area for the interface. The 1080 x 1920 figure that guides quote is 9:16 at 1080 pixels wide. It fits the rules above, but it is arithmetic, not a YouTube requirement. A Short's thumbnail has its own recommended size, covered in the YouTube thumbnail size guide.
Length, file size and formats
| Limit | Figure |
|---|---|
| Default upload length | Up to 15 minutes |
| With a verified account | Longer than 15 minutes |
| Maximum upload | 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less |
| Shorts length | Up to 3 minutes |
YouTube says it has changed these limits in the past, so some older videos run longer than 12 hours. For files over 20 GB it asks you to use an up-to-date browser. If a video is larger than 256 GB, YouTube suggests compressing it in video editing software with the H.264 codec.
For file types, YouTube's list of accepted formats is .MOV, .MPEG-1, .MPEG-2, .MPEG4, .MP4, .MPG, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, WebM, DNxHR, ProRes, CineForm and HEVC (H.265). The recommended encoding settings name MP4 as the container, with H.264 video and AAC-LC or Opus audio. Audio-only files such as MP3 or WAV cannot be uploaded to make a video.
One more shape-related note: a vertical video with a 16:9 custom thumbnail gets an auto-generated 4:5 thumbnail on the home, explore and subscription pages. The thumbnail guide has the details. For other platforms, browse all social media size guides.
Sources and last check
The figures on this page come from these pages, read on October 19, 2026:
- Video resolution & aspect ratios (YouTube Help; the Computer, Android and iPhone and iPad versions were read)
- YouTube recommended upload encoding settings (YouTube Help)
- Supported YouTube file formats (YouTube Help)
- Upload videos longer than 15 minutes (YouTube Help)
- Upload YouTube Shorts (YouTube Help)
- Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts (YouTube Help)
- Get started creating YouTube Shorts (YouTube Help, source of the 1080p note)
- Add custom thumbnails on YouTube (YouTube Help, source of the 4:5 thumbnail note)
The 1080 x 1080 and 1080 x 1920 examples are calculated, not quoted. YouTube can change its rules, so check the Help Center if a figure matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
What dimensions are YouTube videos?
The standard shape is 16:9. YouTube's list for 16:9 runs from 426 x 240 (240p) to 7680 x 4320 (8K), and 1920 x 1080 is the 1080p entry. Vertical and square videos are also accepted, and the player adapts to them.
What size video for YouTube?
YouTube names no single required size. Export at the resolution and shape you recorded. The limits that can stop an upload are length (15 minutes unless your account is verified) and a maximum of 256 GB or 12 hours.
What is the YouTube Shorts size?
YouTube defines Shorts as square or vertical videos up to three minutes. It does not publish a pixel size. 1080 x 1920 is 9:16 at a width of 1080 pixels, and YouTube notes a maximum resolution of 1080p in its Shorts recording steps.
How long can a YouTube Short be?
Up to three minutes. A 60 second limit was the rule before October 15, 2024.
Can a YouTube Short be horizontal?
No. A Short has to be square or vertical. A wider video such as 16:9 stays a regular video, and YouTube suggests a wider aspect ratio if you do not want a video classified as a Short.
Does YouTube add black bars to vertical or square videos?
YouTube's Help page says the player adapts, and that on computer browsers it may add padding to shapes such as 9:16. The padding is white by default and dark gray in Dark theme. It also advises against adding bars or padding to the video yourself.
What is the maximum YouTube video length and file size?
By default 15 minutes. Verified accounts can upload longer videos, up to 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.