YouTube Video Size 2026: Resolution, Ratio and Upload Specs
September 29, 2026 · 4 min read · By Wavnil
Key takeaways
- YouTube's standard ratio is 16:9: 1920 × 1080 for 1080p, 2560 × 1440 for 1440p, 3840 × 2160 for 4K.
- Square or vertical videos up to 3 minutes are classified as Shorts; make them at 1080 × 1920 (9:16).
- Recommended encoding: MP4, H.264, AAC-LC or Opus audio, and 8 Mbps for 1080p at 24 to 30 fps (12 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps).
- Uploads can reach 256 GB or 12 hours; videos over 15 minutes require a verified account.
The standard YouTube video size is 1920 × 1080 pixels (1080p), in a 16:9 ratio. YouTube also supports 2560 × 1440 (1440p) and 3840 × 2160 (4K), and square or vertical videos up to 3 minutes become Shorts, best made at 1080 × 1920 pixels.
This guide lists every resolution YouTube recommends, the encoding settings behind a clean upload, and the limits on length and file size, all from YouTube's Help Center, checked on September 29, 2026.
YouTube video resolutions and bitrates
| Resolution | Size (16:9) | Bitrate at 24–30 fps (SDR) | Bitrate at 48–60 fps (SDR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4320p (8K) | 7680 × 4320 | 80–160 Mbps | 120–240 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) | 3840 × 2160 | 35–45 Mbps | 53–68 Mbps |
| 1440p (2K) | 2560 × 1440 | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 1080p (HD) | 1920 × 1080 | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 720p (HD) | 1280 × 720 | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps |
| 480p (SD) | 854 × 480 | 2.5 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p (SD) | 640 × 360 | 1 Mbps | 1.5 Mbps |
| 240p (SD) | 426 × 240 | — | — |
Sources: YouTube Help, Video resolution and aspect ratios and Recommended upload encoding settings, checked on September 29, 2026.
Aspect ratio: 16:9 and everything else
On a computer, YouTube's standard aspect ratio is 16:9. When a video has another shape, the player adapts to it: a vertical 9:16 video watched on a computer gets padding on the sides, white by default and dark gray in dark theme.
YouTube's advice is clear: don't add black bars or padding to the video yourself. Burned-in bars stop the player from adjusting to the viewer's screen. Export the video in its real shape and let YouTube handle the rest.
YouTube Shorts size
YouTube classifies a video as a Short when it's square or vertical and up to 3 minutes long; the limit went from 60 seconds to 3 minutes on October 15, 2024. The ideal canvas is 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16), which fills a phone screen.
Two consequences:
- A vertical video longer than 3 minutes is a regular video, shown with padding on computers.
- A horizontal 16:9 video is never a Short, whatever its length.
For Shorts length compared with Reels and TikTok, see how long Reels, TikToks and Shorts can be.
Recommended upload encoding settings
YouTube publishes the settings that give the cleanest result after its own processing:
- Container: MP4, with the moov atom at the front of the file (Fast Start) and no edit lists.
- Video codec: H.264, progressive scan, High Profile, 2 consecutive B-frames, closed GOP, CABAC, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling.
- Frame rate: the same as the recording. Common rates are 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 fps; deinterlace interlaced footage before uploading.
- Audio: AAC-LC, Opus or Eclipsa Audio, in stereo or 5.1, at 384 kbps for stereo and 512 kbps for 5.1.
- Bitrate: see the table above. HDR uploads need about 25% more, for example 10 Mbps instead of 8 for 1080p at standard frame rates.
Most editing tools offer a "YouTube" or "H.264 high quality" preset close to these values. Uploading far above the recommended bitrate rarely helps, since YouTube re-encodes every video.
Upload limits: length and file size
- Maximum file size: 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever comes first.
- Default length limit: 15 minutes. To upload longer videos, verify your account with a phone number.
Other YouTube sizes
| Asset | Size | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Thumbnail | 3840 × 2160 px (16:9), 640 px wide minimum | YouTube thumbnail size |
| Channel banner | 2560 × 1440 px, with a central safe area | YouTube banner size |
| Shorts | 1080 × 1920 px (9:16) | This guide |
| Profile picture | Square, renders at 98 × 98 px | YouTube banner size |
Schedule your uploads
YouTube Studio can schedule a video on its own: upload it, and in the visibility step choose Schedule and set a date and time. To plan YouTube alongside your other networks, Wavnil publishes videos and Shorts to YouTube from the same calendar as your Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn posts, with the title, tags and custom thumbnail set in advance. Check the best time to post on YouTube before you pick your slot, and try Wavnil free for 7 days.
Sources
Checked on September 29, 2026:
- YouTube Help, Video resolution and aspect ratios.
- YouTube Help, Recommended upload encoding settings.
- YouTube Help, Upload videos longer than 15 minutes.
- YouTube Help, Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a YouTube video be?
1920 × 1080 pixels (1080p) in a 16:9 ratio is the standard, and 3840 × 2160 (4K) if you film in 4K. For Shorts, use 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16). Export the video in its real shape: YouTube asks you not to add black bars or padding yourself.
What is the best resolution to upload to YouTube?
1080p suits most channels and keeps files manageable, at about 8 Mbps for 24 to 30 fps. If you film in 4K, upload in 4K (3840 × 2160) at 35 to 45 Mbps: YouTube keeps the higher resolution available to viewers with large screens.
What happens if I upload a vertical video to YouTube?
If it lasts 3 minutes or less, YouTube classifies it as a Short. If it's longer, it becomes a regular video, and on computers the player adds padding on the sides, white by default and dark gray in dark theme. Don't add the bars yourself.
What is the maximum length and file size on YouTube?
You can upload files of up to 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever comes first. By default, videos are limited to 15 minutes: to upload longer ones, verify your account with a phone number, as YouTube's Help Center explains.