YouTube video size
Upload YouTube videos in 16:9 at one of the sizes YouTube lists, 1920 × 1080 for HD or 3840 × 2160 for 4K, as an MP4 with H.264. Uploads are up to 15 minutes until your account is verified, then up to 12 hours or 256 GB.
YouTube video size
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | 16:9 on a computer; the player adapts to other shapes | App help |
| Sizes | 3840 × 2160 (4K), 2560 × 1440, 1920 × 1080, 1280 × 720, 854 × 480, 640 × 360, 426 × 240 | App help |
| File | MP4, H.264 video, AAC-LC or Opus sound | App help |
| Frame rate | The rate it was recorded at; 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 fps are common | App help |
| Length | 15 minutes; longer once the account is verified | App help |
| Largest upload | 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less | App help |
Checked on November 3, 2026 against each platform's own pages. Platforms change these; the source link is the one to trust.
Good to know
- YouTube asks you not to add black bars to make a video 16:9: upload it in its own shape.
- YouTube also lists 7680 × 4320 (8K).
Questions
What resolution should I upload to YouTube?
1920 × 1080 for HD or 3840 × 2160 for 4K, in 16:9. YouTube re-encodes every upload, so a higher resolution keeps more detail after its compression.
Can I upload a vertical video to YouTube?
Yes. The player adapts to the video's shape. A vertical or square video up to 3 minutes long is a Short.