Updated September 22, 2026. Platform interfaces and publishing rules can change. Use this as a practical starting point and check the latest official documentation when specifications matter for a campaign or production workflow.
What counts as a YouTube Short?
YouTube says that standard-channel videos uploaded on or after October 15, 2024 are categorized as Shorts when they use a square or vertical aspect ratio and are up to three minutes long.
- Square or vertical aspect ratio.
- Maximum duration: 3 minutes under the current standard-channel rules.
- A 9:16 canvas is a practical choice when the phone is the primary viewing screen.
Use a 9:16 mobile-first canvas
YouTube does not require 9:16 for Shorts eligibility, but 9:16 is a common portrait workspace when you want the video to fill a phone screen.
- 1080 × 1920 is a convenient Full HD portrait canvas.
- Keep captions and important visual details comfortably inside the frame.
- Check the exported file on mobile before uploading.
Three minutes is a ceiling, not a target
The current three-minute rule is a maximum duration for eligible standard-channel Shorts; the content can be much shorter.
- Use only as much time as the idea needs.
- Trim repetition before upload.
- Make the opening understandable without requiring a long setup.
Check music and copyright
YouTube states that if you upload a Short created elsewhere, copyright-protected material should be approved for your use. A valid takedown can remove a Short and may result in a copyright strike.
- Use footage, music, and graphics you own or are permitted to use.
- Prefer licensed or royalty-free audio when you need reuse rights.
- Keep your download/save workflow limited to content you own or have permission to use.
Official reference: YouTube Help: Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts.
Related tool: YouTube Shorts Downloader.