Guide

YouTube Video Size: Resolution, Aspect Ratio and File Limits

The size of a YouTube video starts with the limits: a file up to 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less, and the standard shape on a computer is 16:9, with 1920 × 1080 the usual choice. This page also covers the YouTube Shorts size and the thumbnail.

YouTube video size: file size and length

The most you can upload is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever comes first. Few files get near either number.

A new, unverified account is held to videos of 15 minutes. Verifying the Google account by text message or an automated call lifts that.

The resolutions YouTube lists

For 16:9, YouTube’s list runs 426 × 240, 640 × 360, 854 × 480, 1280 × 720 (720p), 1920 × 1080 (1080p), 2560 × 1440 (1440p), 3840 × 2160 (4K) and 7680 × 4320 (8K).

YouTube ratio size: let the player adapt

16:9 is the standard on a computer. A vertical or square video is fine; the player adjusts to the shape of your video and the viewer’s screen.

Don’t add black bars or padding yourself to force 16:9. YouTube says that interferes with how its player sizes the video.

Format and codec

YouTube’s help page recommends the H.264 codec, which keeps the file small without hurting quality. Export in H.264 and you won’t have to think about it again.

Posting it with Dripost

Upload the file once in Dripost and it goes to YouTube exactly as you exported it, never re-encoded and with no watermark. A video can be up to 10 GB in your library, but YouTube’s own limits above still apply when it posts.

The preview shows how YouTube will receive it before you schedule, and a post YouTube would refuse is flagged with the reason while you can still fix it.

YouTube Shorts video size

A Short is vertical or square and up to three minutes, and 1080 × 1920 is a common full-resolution vertical size. Our guide to YouTube Shorts length has the length rules, and the guide to the Shorts thumbnail has the cover size.

YouTube video thumbnail size

The YouTube video thumbnail size is a separate setting from the video. See our YouTube thumbnail size guide for the recommended pixels, format and file limit.

Sources

Questions

What is the best size for a YouTube video?

1920 × 1080 at 16:9 is the common choice; YouTube lists sizes from 426 × 240 up to 7680 × 4320.

Why can’t I upload a video longer than 15 minutes?

Accounts that haven’t been verified are held to 15 minutes. Verify the account by phone and longer uploads open up.

Does YouTube accept vertical video?

Yes. The player adapts to the video’s own aspect ratio, so you don’t need to add bars.

Try it on your own post.

Start free

Every account starts with 14 days of Pro. No card.