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YouTube
Updated for 2026

YouTube Video Length & Duration Limits in 2026

Complete guide to YouTube video duration limits for Shorts, standard uploads, and live streams. Learn the ideal video length for growth and watch time.

Max Length12 hours
Best Length8-15 minutes
Max File Size256GB

All YouTube Video Length Specs

All YouTube Video Length Specs
FormatMin LengthMax LengthRecommendedResolutionMax File Size
Short-Form
ShortsRecommended
1s3 min30-60s1080 × 1920px256GB
Standard Video
Standard Video
1s12 hours8-15min1920 × 1080px256GB
Live Streaming
Live Stream
1s12 hours1-4 hours1920 × 1080pxN/A
Ads
Skippable Ad
12s6 min15-30s1920 × 1080px256GB
Bumper Ad
1s6s6s1920 × 1080px256GB
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Plan and schedule your YouTube video content at the perfect time to maximize views.

YouTube Video Length Tips

YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes

YouTube Shorts now support videos up to 3 minutes long. For best results, keep Shorts between 30 and 60 seconds to maximize completion rates and Shorts shelf visibility.

Standard videos perform best at 8-15 minutes

Videos in the 8-15 minute range hit the sweet spot for YouTube's algorithm. This length qualifies for mid-roll ads (8+ minutes) and keeps average view duration high enough to rank in search.

Maximum upload length is 12 hours

YouTube allows uploads up to 12 hours long or 256GB in file size, whichever limit is reached first. Accounts must be verified to upload videos longer than 15 minutes.

Verify your account for longer uploads

Unverified YouTube accounts are limited to 15-minute uploads. Phone verification is free and takes under a minute. After verifying, you can upload videos up to 12 hours.

Upload at the highest resolution possible

YouTube re-encodes all uploads regardless of quality. Upload at 1080p or 4K for standard videos and 1080 x 1920px for Shorts to ensure the sharpest playback for viewers.

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