Short answer: a YouTube Short can be up to three minutes long and must have a square or vertical aspect ratio; a wider ratio such as 16:9 makes it a regular video (YouTube Help, as of September 2026). Titles are capped at 100 characters and descriptions at 5,000. A vertical 9:16 file is the safe default.
The requirements
| Spec | Requirement | Source (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Up to 3 minutes | YouTube Help |
| Aspect ratio | Square or vertical | Same |
| To avoid becoming a Short | Use a wider ratio such as 16:9 | Same |
| 3-minute Shorts apply to | Uploads on or after October 15, 2024 (standard channels) | Same |
| Title | 100 characters max | YouTube Help |
| Description | 5,000 characters max | Same |
| Hashtags | More than 60 and all are ignored; misleading tags can get a video removed | YouTube Help |
| Upload from a computer | Up to 15 short videos at once in YouTube Studio | YouTube Help |
| Default visibility | Private for creators aged 13–17, public for 18+ | Same |
YouTube Help does not list a single recommended resolution for Shorts on the pages we checked. 1080×1920 (9:16) is the common working assumption for vertical video.
How to upload a Short
From the phone: in the YouTube app, tap Create, then Short, and record or pick a vertical video from your library (YouTube Help, as of September 2026). The Shorts camera records up to three minutes in segments.
From a computer: in YouTube Studio, click Create, then Upload videos, and select vertical or square files of three minutes or less.
Common reasons a video does not show as a Short
- Too long. Over three minutes means a regular video.
- Wrong shape. A 16:9 export with a vertical video inside it is still 16:9. Export the actual frame at 9:16.
- Older upload. Longer Shorts rules apply to uploads from October 15, 2024 onward.
A pre-upload check
Before each upload, run through four questions. Is the file 9:16 or square, not a vertical video inside a wide frame? Is it three minutes or shorter? Is the title under 100 characters and does it describe the video honestly? Are the hashtags few and relevant? If all four are yes, the video should be treated as a Short. If it still shows as a regular video, check the export settings in your editor first, since that is where most shape problems start.
Beyond the specs
- Content rights. YouTube says you must make sure any copyright-protected material is approved for use, or risk Content ID claims or strikes (YouTube Help). Use content you own or have permission to use.
- Originality. Reused content without meaningful changes runs into the reused content policy. Upload clean files without other apps' watermarks; see cross-posting without watermarks.
- Compare formats. See TikTok vs Reels vs Shorts and Instagram Reels specs.
Posting Shorts from iPhones
Farmero posts Shorts through the YouTube app on your own iPhones: the clip arrives over the USB cable (about 11 seconds measured), is posted to the channel it confirmed on screen, and is removed from the camera roll once the post is confirmed on the channel. It does not edit or resize videos, so export at the right shape first. See Clip delivery. Automating these apps may breach their terms, and nobody can promise an account will never be restricted.
FAQ
How long can a YouTube Short be?
Up to three minutes, as of September 2026.
What aspect ratio does a YouTube Short need?
Square or vertical. A wider ratio like 16:9 is treated as a regular video.
Can a Short be horizontal?
No. YouTube says to use a wider ratio if you do not want a video classified as a Short.
Do Shorts need #shorts in the title?
YouTube Help does not list it as a requirement on the pages we checked; length and aspect ratio decide it.