Free YouTube Video Size Checker
The correct YouTube video size is 1920 × 1080 for long-form and 1080 × 1920 for Shorts. Preview the safe zone, check your file's resolution and bitrate, and export a guide layer - free, no signup.
Video size
Export at 1920 × 1080px (16:9) at 8 Mbps or higher.
Long-form safe zone
A 16:9 video fills the YouTube player edge to edge. Nothing is cropped — but the controls, the caption band and the branding watermark sit on top of it, so keep titles and logos out of those strips.
A transparent 1920 × 1080 overlay for CapCut, Premiere or DaVinci.
Check your video
Drop in your file and we'll grade its size, aspect ratio and bitrate against YouTube's recommended upload settings.
Click to select your video
MP4, MOV, WEBM or MKV — nothing is uploaded
Your video is read locally and never uploaded to a server
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How It Works
Get the right YouTube video size and bitrate before you upload, in 4 steps
Pick your format
Long-form 16:9, Shorts 9:16, square or 4:3 — and the resolution you plan to export at, from 720p up to 4K.
Check your file
Drop your video in and we read its resolution, aspect ratio, duration and average bitrate right in your browser.
Preview the safe zone
See where YouTube's own buttons, titles and player controls cover your video, and where black bars get added.
Export the guide
Download a transparent safe-zone overlay at the exact pixel size and drop it into your editor as a guide layer.
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Get started for freeYouTube Video Size Guide 2026
Every YouTube video size, dimension and aspect ratio in one table — from 240p to 8K, plus Shorts and the upload limits.
| Video type | Size | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Standard video (1080p Full HD) | 1920 × 1080 px | 16:9 |
| 4K / Ultra HD (2160p) | 3840 × 2160 px | 16:9 |
| 8K (4320p) | 7680 × 4320 px | 16:9 |
| 2K / QHD (1440p) | 2560 × 1440 px | 16:9 |
| 720p HD | 1280 × 720 px | 16:9 |
| 480p / 360p | 854 × 480 / 640 × 360 px | 16:9 |
| YouTube Shorts | 1080 × 1920 px | 9:16 |
| Square video | 1080 × 1080 px | 1:1 |
| Ultrawide video | 2560 × 1080 px | 21:9 |
| Video thumbnail | 1280 × 720 px | 16:9 |
| Maximum upload | 256 GB or 12 hours | — |
Tip: drop your file into the checker above and we'll tell you which of these sizes it matches.
Recommended YouTube Video Bitrate
Getting the video size right is half the job — export below these bitrates and YouTube's re-encode turns fast motion into mush.
| Resolution | 24 / 25 / 30 fps | 48 / 50 / 60 fps |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K) | 35–45 Mbps | 53–68 Mbps |
| 1440p (2K) | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps |
| 480p | 2.5 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p | 1 Mbps | 1.5 Mbps |
Audio bitrate
- Mono128 kbps
- Stereo384 kbps
- 5.1 surround512 kbps
YouTube video format
- ContainerMP4
- Video codecH.264
- GOP / B-framesClosed GOP
- Frame rateSame as source
- Audio codecAAC-LC
| Setting | Use |
|---|---|
| Container | MP4 |
| Video codec | H.264 |
| GOP / B-frames | Closed GOP |
| Frame rate | Same as source |
| Audio codec | AAC-LC |
| Bitrate mode | Variable (VBR) |
Why the Correct YouTube Video Size Matters
The difference between a sharp upload and a soft, cropped one is decided before you hit publish
Upload at the Right Resolution
Export at 1920 × 1080 or higher and YouTube gives your video a better encode. Anything under 720p never gets the HD treatment.
Hit the Recommended Bitrate
YouTube re-encodes every upload. Come in under 8 Mbps at 1080p and fast motion turns blocky before anyone presses play.
Nothing Hidden Behind the Shorts UI
The action buttons and title block cover almost a third of a Short. Preview it first so your captions stay readable.
No Unexpected Black Bars
Anything that is not 16:9 gets letterboxed or pillarboxed in the player. See exactly how much before you export.
Private and Free
Your video is read locally in your browser and never uploaded to a server. No watermarks, no signup, no limits.
Answers in Seconds
No file needed to use it — pick a format and the exact dimensions, bitrate and safe zone are on screen straight away.
Ready to grow your channel and beyond?
Create posts, design carousels, and schedule content across every platform with AI-powered tools.
Get started for freeFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about YouTube video sizes, dimensions and bitrates
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