A video becomes a Short on YouTube when two things are true. It is vertical or square, and it is no longer than 3 minutes. If either is false it is published as a normal video.
Drop your file into the checker and it tests both and tells you what to change.
Is my video a YouTube Short?: what to know
The shape rule
Taller than wide, or exactly square. A 16:9 landscape video does not qualify, even if it is 20 seconds long.
The length rule
Up to 180 seconds. Before October 2024 the limit was 60 seconds, and many older guides still say so.
If it fails
Use the Shorts maker to reframe a landscape video to 9:16 and trim it to length.
How to use
- Add your video. Drop the file you plan to upload.
- Read the facts. See the duration, resolution, aspect ratio, orientation and file size.
- Check the verdict. The tool tells you whether the file would count as a Short and compares it with the recommended settings.
- Fix what it flags. Use the Shorts maker to reframe, the converter to change format, or the compressor to shrink a draft.
Limits and good to know
- The browser can only read files it can play. A few formats cannot be read, and the tool will say so.
- The checker reads the file, not YouTube. YouTube makes the final decision when you upload.
- It does not check the content for policy compliance.
FAQ
Do I have to add #Shorts?
The shape and length decide it. Check YouTube's help pages for how hashtags are treated.
Can I turn a long video into a Short?
Trim the part you want to 3 minutes or less and reframe it to vertical.
How long can a Short be?
Up to 3 minutes, as long as the video is vertical or square.
Does a horizontal video under a minute count as a Short?
No. It has to be vertical or square.
Is my file uploaded?
No. It is read on your device.