YouTube Shorts Size: Resolution, Aspect Ratio, Length Requirements for Creators (2025)

If you’re a content creator or planning to start with YouTube Shorts in 2025, understanding the correct video size is crucial for success. The right YouTube Shorts size ensures your videos look perfect on mobile, get more views, and follow YouTube’s latest standards. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know—resolution, aspect ratio, length, and format—in a simple and easy-to-follow way.

What is the Ideal YouTube Shorts Size in 2025?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Why YouTube Shorts Need Specific Dimensions

YouTube Shorts are made for mobile-first viewing. If your video doesn’t match the proper size, it may:

• Get cropped or show black bars.
• Not qualify as a “Short.”
• This leads to low engagement or poor viewer retention.

💡Tip: Always record your Shorts vertically using a 9:16 frame. Horizontal videos won’t qualify as Shorts.

YouTube Shorts Video Length: How Short is “Short”?

• Minimum length: 15 seconds (ideal for snappy messages)
• Maximum length: 60 seconds (1 minute)
• Best performing videos are 20–40 seconds long—short enough to retain attention but long enough to deliver value.

YouTube Shorts Aspect Ratio (Explained Simply)

• 9:16 means your video is taller than it is wide, just like your phone screen when you hold it upright.
• This ensures the video fills the entire screen, making it immersive.

🔍 Don’t Use: 16:9 (landscape), 1:1 (square), or 4:3—these reduce visibility and viewer experience.

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YouTube Shorts File Format & Size Details

• Best format: .MP4 or .MOV
• File size limit: 2 GB (but aim for less for faster uploads)
• Audio: AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) or MP3 supported
• Frame rate: 24fps to 60fps (for smooth viewing)

Best Practices for Creating Viral YouTube Shorts

• Start strong: The first 2 seconds must hook the viewer.
• Use clear, vertical visuals.
• Add captions: Many users watch on mute.
• Include hashtags like #Shorts in the title or description.
• Maintain high video quality (HD).
• Add a strong call-to-action (CTA) – like, comment, subscribe.

ALSO READ | YouTube Shorts to MP3: How to Extract Audio?

Tools to Resize or Create YouTube Shorts

ALSO READ | How to Download YouTube Shorts in Gallery: Step-by-Step Guide

Noteworthy Point

YouTube automatically classifies a video as a “Short” if it’s:

• Vertical (9:16)
• 60 seconds or less
• Uploaded through the YouTube mobile app or tagged with #Shorts

If any of these conditions are not met, your video might be treated as a regular video, not a Short.

Related Terms You Should Know (Semantic Keywords)

• YouTube Shorts thumbnail size
• YouTube Shorts upload guide
• Short video specs
• YouTube mobile video optimisation
• Video compression for YouTube Shorts
• Digital skills for content creators
• YouTube Shorts strategy 2025

Internal Tips for Optimising Shorts in 2025

1. Use the keyword “YouTube Shorts size” in your title, description, and first paragraph.
2. Add chapters/timestamps in the description for clarity.
3. Upload consistently – aim for 3-5 Shorts per week.
4. Monitor performance using YouTube Analytics.

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Conclusion

Knowing the correct YouTube Shorts size in 2025 is essential if you want to maximise reach, visibility, and engagement. Following the resolution, aspect ratio, and video length guidelines will ensure your Shorts look professional and qualify for YouTube’s Shorts shelf. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned creator, understanding these specs is part of your essential digital skills in today’s fast-moving video era.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)