MecraHow to make YouTube Shorts: length, size and upload guide
How long can a Short be, which resolution and aspect ratio do you need, and how do you upload? A practical guide to the first second, captions, music and rhythm.
YouTube Shorts are short videos in a square or vertical format, shown in their own feed in the YouTube app. Today a Short can be up to 3 minutes long. This guide covers the technical requirements, what to watch while producing and the upload steps.
Technical requirements
| Property | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | Vertical 9:16 (square is accepted too) |
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 pixels |
| Length | Up to 3 minutes (for videos uploaded on or after October 15, 2024) |
| Frame rate | 30 fps is enough for most content; 60 fps for fast motion |
| Format | MP4 (H.264 video, AAC audio) is the most compatible choice |
YouTube classifies a video as a Short by the aspect ratio and length of the file you upload. A horizontal video isn't a Short even if it is under 3 minutes. For the current rules see YouTube's 3-minute Shorts page.
Editing a good Short
The first second: why should they watch?
In the Shorts feed a viewer moves to the next video with one swipe. So within the first 1–2 seconds they must understand what they'll see and why they should stay. Openings that work:
- A curiosity-driven question or claim.
- A surprising image or number.
- A sentence that goes straight into the subject instead of "Hi everyone, today…".
Flow and tempo
- Tell one idea per video. A short runtime can't carry many.
- Tie visual changes to the rhythm of the speech; don't leave the same shot on screen for long.
- Close the curiosity gap toward the end, or build a loop back to the start.
Captions
Many viewers watch with the sound off. Legible, short, large captions matter for accessibility and retention. Word-by-word captions catch the eye; just keep contrast and readability intact.
Safe area
In vertical videos the description and buttons sit at the bottom and the like/comment buttons on the right edge. Keep important text away from the edges and the bottom; the middle of the screen is the safest zone.
Music and sound
Choose music only from sources you have the right to use. Prefer YouTube's own audio library or openly licensed music; otherwise you may get a copyright claim.
How to upload a Short
From a computer:
- In YouTube Studio click Create > Upload videos at the top right.
- Choose your vertical video; enter the title and description.
- Answer the made-for-kids question and (if applicable) the AI-content question.
- Set visibility and press Publish.
From a phone: in the YouTube app use + > Create a Short to film, or import a video from your gallery.
Keeping the title around 40–60 characters with the main keyword first helps search visibility. See our YouTube SEO guide for the metadata details.
Consistency
Regular production is a more reliable strategy than a single viral hit. Choose how many videos you upload per week based on what you can sustain. Don't let volume outrun quality: videos mass-produced from one template risk being seen as "inauthentic content"; see the AI content policy.
Automating Short production
Doing topic research, script, voice, visuals, captions and upload by hand takes time. Mecra automates this on your Windows desktop: it produces vertical (1080×1920) Shorts of about 40 seconds, adds captions and music and uploads to your channel; you choose the publishing times. With the free trial you can produce your first 5 videos (watermarked, uploaded manually); automatic upload comes with paid plans.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How long can a YouTube Short be?
Videos uploaded on or after October 15, 2024 with a square or vertical aspect ratio can be up to 3 minutes long and are classified as Shorts. Older videos remain long-form.
What is the best resolution for Shorts?
A 9:16 vertical aspect ratio at 1080×1920 pixels works most smoothly. 30 frames per second is enough for most content; 60 fps can look smoother for fast motion.
Is the #Shorts tag required?
No. YouTube classifies a video as a Short by its length and aspect ratio. Adding the tag is harmless but doesn't make a video a Short on its own.
Can a horizontal video be published in the Shorts feed?
No. To be classified as a Short the video must be square or vertical. Horizontal videos are published as long-form.
Do Shorts make money?
After you join the YouTube Partner Program, Shorts can earn a share of the ad revenue in the Shorts feed. To join you need 1,000 subscribers plus 10 million Shorts views in 90 days, or the long-form route.
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