YouTube Shorts Dimensions, Size & Specs Guide (2026)
Everything you need to know about YouTube Shorts dimensions in 2026 — from the ideal 1080×1920 resolution and 9:16 aspect ratio to file size limits, safe zones, and what happens when you upload the wrong size.
FlowShorts Team
TL;DR — YouTube Shorts Specs at a Glance
- Resolution: 1080 × 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Max length: 3 minutes (180 seconds)
- Max file size: 256 MB
- Formats: MP4, MOV, or WebM
- Frame rate: 30 or 60 fps
Getting your YouTube Shorts dimensions wrong is one of the fastest ways to tank a video's performance. Upload a landscape clip and YouTube won't even classify it as a Short. Use a resolution below 720p and your video looks blurry on every phone screen made after 2020.
This guide covers the exact YouTube Shorts size, aspect ratio, resolution, and file specs you need in 2026 — plus what actually happens when you get them wrong, and free tools that handle the technical details for you.
Here's what you'll learn:
- The recommended resolution, aspect ratio, and file specs
- Safe-zone dimensions so text and faces don't get cropped
- What happens when you upload the wrong size
- How to create correctly sized Shorts without editing software
Quick-Reference YouTube Shorts Specs Table
Bookmark this table. It contains every YouTube Shorts spec you'll need when exporting or uploading a video.
| Specification | Recommended Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 px | Full HD vertical. Minimum 720 × 1280. |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 | Square (1:1) is accepted but adds black bars. |
| Max duration | 3 minutes (180 s) | Extended from 60 s in October 2024. |
| Max file size | 256 MB | YouTube processes up to 2 GB, but 256 MB keeps uploads fast. |
| File formats | MP4, MOV, WebM | MP4 with H.264 + AAC is the safest choice. |
| Frame rate | 30 fps or 60 fps | 60 fps is better for fast-paced or gaming content. |
| Video codec | H.264 | H.265 (HEVC) also accepted. |
| Audio codec | AAC at 128 kbps+ | Stereo recommended. |
| Bitrate | 8 Mbps+ (1080p) | Higher bitrate = sharper output after YouTube re-encodes. |
| Copyrighted music | Max 60 s | Use royalty-free audio for longer Shorts. |
Source: YouTube Help Center — Create a Short, updated 2026.
YouTube Shorts Resolution & Pixels
The standard YouTube Shorts resolution is 1080 × 1920 pixels — the same as Full HD (1080p) rotated into portrait orientation. This is the resolution YouTube's own Shorts camera records at, and it's what the algorithm expects.
Why 1080 × 1920 Is the Sweet Spot
YouTube supports Shorts uploads up to 4K (2160 × 3840), but there's no visual benefit. Every Short is served to viewers at a maximum of 1080p regardless of the source resolution. Uploading at 4K just increases your file size and upload time without improving quality.
On the low end, 720 × 1280 pixels is the minimum acceptable YouTube Shorts pixel count. Anything below that looks noticeably soft on modern phones with 6-inch+ screens running at 1080p or higher native resolution.
Pro Tip: If you're exporting from editing software, set your project to 1080 × 1920 before you start editing. Resizing a finished landscape video to portrait always looks worse than shooting or designing in vertical from the beginning.
Resolution Comparison
| Resolution | Pixels | Quality | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 480 × 854 | 409,920 | Blurry on most devices | Avoid |
| 720 × 1280 | 921,600 | Acceptable | Minimum viable |
| 1080 × 1920 | 2,073,600 | Sharp on all devices | Recommended |
| 2160 × 3840 | 8,294,400 | Downscaled to 1080p anyway | Unnecessary |
YouTube Shorts Aspect Ratio Explained
The correct YouTube Shorts aspect ratio is 9:16 — nine units wide by sixteen units tall. This is the inverse of traditional widescreen video (16:9) and matches the natural orientation of a smartphone held upright.
YouTube uses the aspect ratio to decide whether an uploaded video qualifies as a Short. The rule is straightforward: the video must be at least as tall as it is wide. That means both 9:16 and 1:1 (square) videos can appear in the Shorts feed, but anything wider than square — like 4:3 or 16:9 — will be treated as a regular video.
Accepted Aspect Ratios
| Aspect Ratio | Pixels | Shorts Feed? | Display |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 | Yes — full screen | Fills the entire Shorts player |
| 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 | Yes — with bars | Black bars above and below |
| 4:5 | 1080 × 1350 | Yes — with small bars | Slight bars, still works |
| 16:9 | 1920 × 1080 | No | Uploaded as regular video |
For the best engagement and YouTube Shorts ratio performance, always use 9:16. Square videos technically enter the feed, but the black bars signal "repurposed content" to viewers and typically see lower watch-through rates.
Safe Zone Dimensions
Even with a perfect 9:16 frame, YouTube's mobile interface covers parts of your video with UI elements — the channel name, subscribe button, like/dislike/comment icons, and the video description. If your text or key visuals sit under these overlays, viewers won't see them.
The safe zone is the central area of the frame where nothing gets covered. Keep all critical content — text overlays, faces, logos, calls-to-action — within these boundaries:
- Top margin: 180 px from the top edge (title and status bar area)
- Bottom margin: 390 px from the bottom edge (channel info, CTA buttons)
- Side margins: 60 px from each side (engagement icons on the right)
- Effective safe area: approximately 960 × 1350 px centered in the frame
Quick rule: Keep everything important in the center 80% of the frame, and keep text at a minimum font size of 24 px so it's readable on smaller phones.
File Format, Size & Length Limits
File Formats
YouTube accepts most common video formats for Shorts, but MP4 with H.264 video codec and AAC audio is the most reliable combination. It processes fastest and has the fewest compatibility issues across devices.
Supported formats include:
- MP4 — recommended, universally supported
- MOV — works well, common from iPhone recordings
- WebM — supported, mainly used by screen recorders
- AVI, FLV, MKV, 3GP — also accepted but less common for Shorts
File Size
YouTube's upload limit for any video is 256 GB (or 12 hours, whichever is hit first). For Shorts specifically, a well-encoded 3-minute clip at 1080 × 1920 / 30 fps typically weighs between 30–80 MB. There's no separate Shorts file size cap, but keeping files under 256 MB ensures fast uploads and smooth processing.
Video Length
Since October 2024, YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes (180 seconds) long. There is no minimum length. However, YouTube's algorithm favors Shorts under 60 seconds for initial distribution in the Shorts feed, according to data shared at YouTube's Made on YouTube 2024 event. The engagement sweet spot for most creators is 15–45 seconds.
| Length | Best For | Algorithm Boost |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 s | Hooks, teasers, memes | Moderate — too short for strong retention signals |
| 15–45 s | Tutorials, tips, reactions | Highest — strong completion rates |
| 45–90 s | Storytelling, mini-vlogs | Good if retention stays high |
| 90–180 s | In-depth explanations, reviews | Lower initial push; works for loyal audiences |
What Happens If You Upload the Wrong YouTube Shorts Size
Uploading a video with incorrect YouTube Shorts dimensions doesn't just look bad — it can prevent your video from reaching the Shorts feed entirely. Here's what goes wrong with each type of mistake:
Wrong Aspect Ratio (Landscape or Too Wide)
If your video is wider than it is tall (anything wider than 1:1), YouTube classifies it as a regular video, not a Short. It won't appear in the Shorts feed, the Shorts shelf on your channel, or the Shorts tab on mobile. You lose access to the Shorts algorithm entirely — even if the video is under 60 seconds.
Too Low Resolution (Below 720p)
Videos below 720 × 1280 will still upload and can still be classified as Shorts, but they'll appear visibly pixelated on modern smartphones. Since 90% of Shorts views happen on mobile devices with 1080p+ screens (per YouTube's Creator Insider data), blurry videos see significantly higher swipe-away rates.
Square Video (1:1)
Square uploads do enter the Shorts feed, but YouTube adds black bars above and below the video. This wastes roughly 40% of the available screen space and makes your content look repurposed rather than native.
Oversized File
If your file is excessively large (say, a 4K export at high bitrate), the upload takes longer and YouTube's processing queue can be slower. The final output quality is identical to a standard 1080p upload because YouTube re-encodes everything. There's no upside.
Bottom line: Always export at 1080 × 1920, 9:16. It's the only YouTube Shorts size that guarantees full-screen display, Shorts feed eligibility, and clean quality.
YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Requirements
YouTube added custom thumbnail support for Shorts in 2023. Here are the current specs:
- Resolution: 1080 × 1920 px (same 9:16 ratio as the video)
- Formats: JPG, PNG, or GIF
- Max file size: 2 MB
Thumbnails appear when your Short is displayed outside the Shorts feed — on your channel page, in search results, and in suggested videos. In the Shorts feed itself, the video auto-plays and the thumbnail isn't shown.
For best results, choose a frame that clearly communicates the topic within the vertical format. Avoid text-heavy thumbnails since they'll be displayed at small sizes on channel pages.
Tools for Creating Correctly Sized YouTube Shorts
You don't need to memorize specs or manually resize videos. These tools handle YouTube Shorts dimensions automatically:
FlowShorts — AI YouTube Shorts Generator
FlowShorts generates complete YouTube Shorts from a text prompt or topic idea. Every video is automatically exported at 1080 × 1920 (9:16) with AI-generated visuals, voiceover, and animated captions — no editing required. It can also auto-post directly to YouTube on a schedule you set.
If you're producing Shorts at scale — daily or multiple times per week — FlowShorts eliminates the manual export-and-upload cycle entirely. Use the Video Topic Generator to find ideas and the YouTube Title Generator to write click-worthy titles before you generate.
Other Options
- CapCut: Free mobile/desktop editor with a 9:16 Shorts preset. Good for manual editing.
- Canva: Has a "YouTube Shorts" template at the correct dimensions. Best for text-heavy or graphic-based Shorts.
- Adobe Premiere Rush: Supports vertical projects. More powerful but steeper learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact YouTube Shorts dimensions in pixels?
The recommended YouTube Shorts dimensions are 1080 pixels wide × 1920 pixels tall. This is Full HD resolution in portrait (vertical) orientation with a 9:16 aspect ratio. The minimum acceptable resolution is 720 × 1280 pixels.
What aspect ratio should YouTube Shorts be?
YouTube Shorts should be 9:16 (vertical). This is the standard portrait aspect ratio that fills a mobile phone screen completely. Square (1:1) videos are also accepted but display with black bars above and below, reducing visual impact.
Can I upload a 1920 × 1080 horizontal video as a YouTube Short?
No. A 1920 × 1080 video is in 16:9 landscape format. YouTube will not classify it as a Short, regardless of its length. You need to crop or re-create the video in 1080 × 1920 (9:16 portrait) for it to appear in the Shorts feed.
What is the maximum file size for YouTube Shorts?
YouTube doesn't enforce a separate file size limit specifically for Shorts. The platform-wide upload limit is 256 GB. In practice, a 3-minute Short at 1080p/30fps in MP4 format is typically 30–80 MB. Keeping files under 256 MB ensures fast uploads.
How long can a YouTube Short be in 2026?
YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes (180 seconds) as of October 2024. There's no minimum length requirement. For best performance, 15–45 seconds tends to generate the highest completion rates and algorithmic distribution.
Do YouTube Shorts support 4K resolution?
You can upload a Short at 4K (2160 × 3840), but YouTube will downscale it to 1080p for playback. There's no visual quality difference for viewers between a 4K and 1080p upload. Exporting at 1080 × 1920 saves time and storage without sacrificing quality.
Start Creating Correctly Sized YouTube Shorts
The YouTube Shorts dimensions that matter are simple: 1080 × 1920 pixels, 9:16 aspect ratio, MP4 format. Get these right and your Shorts will display full-screen on every device, qualify for the Shorts feed, and look sharp to viewers.
If you don't want to think about specs at all, FlowShorts handles dimensions, format, and even posting automatically. Generate a Short from a text prompt and it exports at the correct size every time.
Related guides: YouTube Title Generator · Video Topic Generator · YouTube Shorts Generator