YouTube Shorts validator
Check a clip against the Shorts rules before you upload — duration, shape and file size — so it does not quietly publish as a regular video.
Everything YouTube checks for is in range.
- Duration58sWithin the three-minute limit.
- Aspect ratio1080×1920 (0.56)Vertical, the native Shorts shape.
- File size45 MBComfortable for both mobile and desktop upload.
What YouTube requires
| Requirement | Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Up to 180 seconds | Raised from 60s in 2024 |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 vertical or 1:1 square | Wider than square is a normal video |
| Resolution | 600×600 minimum, 1080×1920 recommended | Shorts are watched on phones |
| File size | Around 60MB on mobile | Desktop upload accepts more |
| #Shorts hashtag | Optional | YouTube detects the format itself |
What happens when a video misses the rules
Nothing breaks — YouTube simply publishes it as a normal video. It keeps its URL and its views, but it never enters the Shorts feed, which is where the reach for vertical content comes from. That is why the shape and length are worth checking before the upload rather than after.
The two that catch people out
- Landscape framing. A 1920×1080 export is wider than it is tall, so it can never be a Short — even at ten seconds.
- Three minutes exactly. The limit rose from 60 seconds to 180 in 2024, and clips recorded before that change are often still cut to the old length out of habit.
Export settings that avoid this
Export at 1080×1920, H.264, under 60MB where you can, and keep the runtime under three minutes. Anything shot on a phone in portrait already matches; the risk is in re-exporting from a desktop timeline set to a landscape sequence.
After it publishes, listen to who watched
PostLink analyses the comments on any Short or video and surfaces what viewers responded to — then suggests the next videos and titles most likely to break out with that audience.
Analyze a video freeQuestions
How long can a YouTube Short be in 2026?
YouTube Shorts can be up to 180 seconds (3 minutes) long as of 2026. The previous 60-second limit was extended in 2024.
What aspect ratio does a YouTube Short need?
YouTube Shorts must have a vertical or square aspect ratio. The recommended resolution is 1080×1920 (9:16 vertical). Square (1:1) is also accepted but vertical performs better.
Do I need the #Shorts hashtag?
No, the #Shorts hashtag is not required in 2026. YouTube automatically categorizes Shorts based on the video's duration and aspect ratio. However, adding #Shorts can still help with discovery.
Can I upload a Short from desktop?
Yes. You can upload Shorts from YouTube Studio on desktop. The file must still meet all Shorts requirements: vertical or square aspect ratio, up to 180 seconds, and typically under 60MB.