YouTube Shorts Dimensions & Best Size Guide (2026)
Learn the correct YouTube Shorts dimensions, aspect ratio, and resolution for 2026. This guide covers optimal sizing, file formats, and export settings to ensure your Shorts display perfectly.
Key Takeaways
- Recommended resolution: 1080×1920 pixels (1080p vertical)
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (portrait/vertical orientation)
- Maximum length: 60 seconds
- File format: MP4 (H.264) or MOV
- Maximum file size: 2GB
- Frame rate: 24-60 fps (30 or 60 fps recommended)
YouTube Shorts dimensions are 1080×1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio (vertical). Videos must be under 60 seconds to qualify as Shorts. The optimal file format is MP4 with H.264 codec, and file size should be under 2GB. These dimensions match most smartphone camera defaults when recording in portrait mode.
Key Takeaways
- Recommended resolution: 1080×1920 pixels (1080p vertical)
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (portrait/vertical orientation)
- Maximum length: 60 seconds
- File format: MP4 (H.264) or MOV
- Maximum file size: 2GB
- Frame rate: 24-60 fps (30 or 60 fps recommended)
YouTube Shorts Technical Specifications
Complete Specs Table
| Specification | Recommended | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080×1920 | 720×1280 | 2160×3840 (4K) |
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 | 9:16 | 9:16 |
| Duration | 15-60 seconds | 1 second | 60 seconds |
| File Format | MP4 (H.264) | MP4, MOV | - |
| File Size | Under 500MB | - | 2GB |
| Frame Rate | 30fps | 24fps | 60fps |
| Bitrate | 10-15 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
Resolution Options
| Resolution | Name | Quality | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720×1280 | 720p | Good | Smaller |
| 1080×1920 | 1080p | Excellent | Medium |
| 1440×2560 | 1440p | Very High | Larger |
| 2160×3840 | 4K | Maximum | Very Large |
Recommendation
1080×1920 is the sweet spot—high quality without excessive file sizes.
Understanding 9:16 Aspect Ratio
What is 9:16?
9:16 is the inverse of standard 16:9 widescreen. It's designed for vertical (portrait) viewing on mobile phones.
Aspect Ratio Comparison
| Aspect Ratio | Orientation | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | Horizontal | Regular YouTube videos, TV |
| 9:16 | Vertical | YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Stories |
| 1:1 | Square | Instagram posts |
| 4:5 | Vertical | Instagram posts, feed |
Why 9:16 for Shorts?
- Fills entire mobile screen
- Optimal for thumb-scrolling feeds
- Matches how people hold phones
- Consistent with TikTok, Reels, Stories
Recording in Correct Dimensions
On iPhone
Default Camera:
- 1.Open Camera app
- 2.Hold phone vertically (portrait)
- 3.Select "Video" mode
- 4.Record—automatically captures 9:16
Settings Check:
- Settings → Camera → Record Video
- Choose 1080p HD at 30fps or 60fps
On Android
Default Camera:
- 1.Open Camera app
- 2.Hold phone vertically
- 3.Select Video mode
- 4.Record in portrait orientation
Settings:
- Camera Settings → Video Size
- Select 1080p or Full HD
Common Recording Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Recording horizontal | Gets cropped or letterboxed | Hold phone vertically |
| Low resolution | Blurry on larger screens | Set to 1080p minimum |
| Variable frame rate | Editing issues | Lock to 30 or 60fps |
Editing for YouTube Shorts
Setting Up Your Project
In CapCut:
- 1.Create new project
- 2.Select "9:16" aspect ratio
- 3.Set resolution to 1080×1920
- 4.Import and edit content
In Premiere Pro:
- 1.File → New → Sequence
- 2.Settings: 1080×1920
- 3.Frame Rate: 30fps
- 4.Create sequence
In DaVinci Resolve:
- 1.Project Settings (gear icon)
- 2.Timeline Resolution: 1080×1920
- 3.Frame Rate: 30fps
- 4.Accept settings
Export Settings
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Format | MP4 (H.264) |
| Resolution | 1080×1920 |
| Frame Rate | 30fps or 60fps |
| Bitrate | 10-15 Mbps |
| Audio | AAC, 256 kbps |
Converting Horizontal to Vertical
Options:
- 1.Crop and zoom (loses content on sides)
- 2.Add blur background (keeps full video with blur on top/bottom)
- 3.Split screen (stack multiple clips)
- 4.Resize and add graphics
Using CapCut Blur Background:
- 1.Import horizontal video
- 2.Set canvas to 9:16
- 3.Apply background blur effect
- 4.Adjust video positioning
Uploading Shorts with Correct Dimensions
From Mobile (YouTube App)
- 1.Tap "+" → "Create a Short"
- 2.Either record new or upload existing
- 3.For existing: select vertical video from gallery
- 4.YouTube will recognize 9:16 as Short
- 5.Edit, add music, and publish
From Desktop (YouTube Studio)
- 1.Go to studio.youtube.com
- 2.Click "Create" → "Upload videos"
- 3.Select your 9:16 video file
- 4.YouTube automatically categorizes as Short
- 5.Add title, description, and publish
What Happens with Wrong Dimensions?
| Issue | Result |
|---|---|
| Horizontal video (16:9) | Letterboxed or not marked as Short |
| Square video (1:1) | Pillarboxed, may not be Short |
| Too low resolution | Blurry, poor viewing experience |
| Too long (>60s) | Not categorized as Short |
Optimizing Quality
Bitrate Recommendations
| Content Type | Bitrate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Simple graphics | 8-10 Mbps | Less data to encode |
| Standard video | 10-15 Mbps | Balanced quality |
| High motion | 15-20 Mbps | Preserves fast movement |
| Gaming content | 15-25 Mbps | Screen recording clarity |
Frame Rate Selection
| Frame Rate | Best For |
|---|---|
| 24fps | Cinematic look |
| 30fps | Standard content (recommended) |
| 60fps | Fast motion, gaming, sports |
File Size Management
Tips to Reduce File Size:
- 1.Use H.264 codec (efficient)
- 2.Don't exceed 15 Mbps bitrate
- 3.Keep duration shorter
- 4.Avoid unnecessary 4K (1080p is plenty)
Approximate File Sizes (60 second Short):
| Resolution | Bitrate | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 10 Mbps | ~75 MB |
| 1080p | 15 Mbps | ~110 MB |
| 4K | 25 Mbps | ~190 MB |
Safe Zones for Text and Graphics
Where to Place Content
Safe Zone Considerations:
- Keep important content centered
- Avoid extreme edges (may be cropped)
- Bottom 20%: Caption area (auto-captions appear here)
- Top 10%: Profile picture/username overlay
Margins:
| Area | Safe Margin |
|---|---|
| Top | 80px (for UI elements) |
| Bottom | 200px (for captions, buttons) |
| Left/Right | 60px each side |
UI Elements to Avoid
When designing thumbnails or text:
- Like/Comment/Share buttons (right side)
- Progress bar (bottom)
- Caption area (bottom center)
- Channel info (bottom left)
Troubleshooting Dimension Issues
"Not Categorized as Short"
Causes:
- Video is horizontal or square
- Duration exceeds 60 seconds
- Resolution issues
Fixes:
- 1.Re-export in 9:16 aspect ratio
- 2.Trim to under 60 seconds
- 3.Re-upload
"Video Looks Blurry"
Causes:
- Exported at low resolution
- Low bitrate
- Source footage is low quality
Fixes:
- 1.Export at 1080×1920 minimum
- 2.Increase bitrate to 12+ Mbps
- 3.Record at higher quality
"Black Bars Appear"
Causes:
- Video isn't true 9:16
- Editing software added letterboxing
Fixes:
- 1.Check project settings match 9:16
- 2.Ensure "fit" not "letterbox" in export
- 3.Re-export from correct project
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What size is a YouTube Short?
YouTube Shorts are 1080×1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio (vertical). This is the same as standard smartphone portrait video. Maximum file size is 2GB, and maximum duration is 60 seconds.
Q2Can I upload a horizontal video as a Short?
Technically yes, but it won't display well. Horizontal videos will be letterboxed (black bars on top and bottom), making them smaller on the Shorts feed. For best results, always use 9:16 vertical videos.
Q3What's the best resolution for YouTube Shorts?
1080×1920 pixels (1080p vertical) is the recommended resolution. It's high enough quality for all devices while keeping file sizes manageable. 4K is supported but unnecessary for the small screen viewing of Shorts.
Q4Do YouTube Shorts need to be exactly 9:16?
Yes, for optimal display. YouTube Shorts are designed for the 9:16 format. Other aspect ratios will be cropped, letterboxed, or may not be categorized as Shorts at all.
Q5What frame rate should I use for Shorts?
30fps is standard and recommended for most content. Use 60fps for fast-moving content like sports, gaming, or action footage. Higher frame rates result in larger files without noticeable quality improvement for normal content.
Q6How do I make sure my Short isn't cropped?
Keep important content (faces, text, key visuals) away from edges—especially the top 10% and bottom 20% where UI elements appear. Center your main content for safe viewing across all devices.
Conclusion
Getting YouTube Shorts dimensions right is straightforward: record or edit in 9:16 vertical format at 1080×1920 pixels, keep videos under 60 seconds, and export as MP4. Most issues arise from using horizontal footage or incorrect project settings.
Quick Reference:
- Resolution: 1080×1920
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16
- Duration: Under 60 seconds
- Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Frame Rate: 30fps
- Bitrate: 10-15 Mbps
With correct dimensions, your Shorts will display perfectly in the Shorts feed and have the best chance of being discovered by viewers.
Related Resources:
- YouTube Shorts Complete Guide
- Best Video Editing Apps for Shorts
- YouTube Shorts vs TikTok
Written By
NoteLM Team
The NoteLM team specializes in AI-powered video summarization and learning tools. We are passionate about making video content more accessible and efficient for learners worldwide.
AI/ML DevelopmentVideo ProcessingEducational Technology
Sources & References
Last verified: January 11, 2026
Technical specifications may change. Check YouTube Help for current requirements.
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