DoneCut

Free tool · runs in your browser

YouTube upload checker: video or Short?

YouTube Studio takes a file as a Short when it runs up to 3 minutes and is square or vertical. Anything else uploads as a regular video, up to 256 GB or 12 hours, and past 15 minutes only from a verified account. Drop a video to see which it is.

Check your video

Drop your video here

It stays on your device. Only its length, size and shape are read; nothing is uploaded.

Waiting for a video

Choose a video to see whether YouTube takes it, and as what.

  1. Not checked yetFile is 256 GB or smallerYouTube’s largest upload.
  2. Not checked yetVideo is 12 hours or shorterYouTube’s longest upload.
  3. Not checked yetAccount verificationOver 15 minutes needs a verified Google Account.
  4. Not checked yetShort: 3 minutes or shorterThe longest a Short can be.
  5. Not checked yetShort: square or verticalA horizontal video uploads as a regular video.

The limits, in YouTube’s words

The checker reads the length, frame size and file size in your browser and compares them with these three lines from YouTube Help.

  1. Rule 1

    A Short is up to 3 minutes, square or vertical.

    YouTube Help: “Select a short-video file: Up to 3 minutes. With a square or vertical aspect ratio.”
  2. Rule 2

    Over 15 minutes needs a verified account.

    YouTube Help: “By default, you can upload videos that are up to 15 minutes long. Verified accounts can upload videos longer than 15 minutes.”
  3. Rule 3

    Nothing over 256 GB or 12 hours.

    YouTube Help: “The maximum file size you can upload is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.”

Sources: YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts · YouTube Help: Upload videos longer than 15 minutes, checked .

Want the whole video edited? DoneCut edits YouTube videos from $49.

Questions

Something else? Email support@donecut.com

How long can a YouTube Short be?

YouTube Help says to upload a Short from a computer, select a video file up to 3 minutes long with a square or vertical aspect ratio.

Why did my vertical video upload as a regular video?

If it runs longer than 3 minutes it can’t be a Short. YouTube Help’s Shorts upload steps list both conditions: up to 3 minutes, and a square or vertical aspect ratio.

How long can a normal YouTube video be?

YouTube Help says that by default you can upload videos up to 15 minutes long, and verified accounts can upload longer ones, up to 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.

How do I upload a video longer than 15 minutes?

Verify your Google Account first. YouTube Help says you can get a verification code by text message or an automated voice call.

My video is over 256 GB. What now?

YouTube Help suggests compressing it in video editing software before uploading, for example with the H.264 codec.

Is my video uploaded anywhere?

No. The browser reads only its length, frame size and file size. The video stays on your device.