mimicVideo file
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | Square or vertical[2]16:9 and wider uploads stay long-form |
| Best-suited ratio | 9:16[7]Google Ads guidance for Shorts |
| Resolution (in-app upload) | 1080p maximum[3]for Shorts made in the YouTube app |
| Container | MP4[4] |
| Codecs | H.264 video; AAC-LC, Opus or Eclipsa Audio[4] |
| Frame rate | Same as recorded; common rates 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60[4] |
| Suggested bitrate (1080p) | 8 Mbps at 24–30 fps, 12 Mbps at 48–60 fps[4]SDR |
| Suggested bitrate (720p) | 5 Mbps at 24–30 fps, 7.5 Mbps at 48–60 fps[4]SDR |
| Max file size | 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less[5]applies to all YouTube uploads |
Length
Text and captions
Safe zone
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Safe zone | Not published |
What YouTube Shorts doesn't publish
Creators ask about these, but there's no official number. We leave them out rather than guess.
- Safe-zone margins for text on Shorts
- Minimum length for an uploaded Short
- A Shorts-specific bitrate (the general upload table applies)
Exporting for YouTube Shorts
Export vertical 1080x1920
Square or vertical makes it a Short; 9:16 at 1080p matches the 1080p cap for Shorts made in the app.
Use YouTube's bitrate table
MP4, H.264, AAC-LC at about 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps, or 12 Mbps at 60 fps.
Don't change the frame rate
YouTube asks for the frame rate you recorded at. Don't convert 30 fps footage to 60.
Watch music length
Most songs can play for up to 90 seconds in a 3-minute Short; some are capped at 60 or 30 seconds.
Keep text clear of the UI
YouTube publishes no safe-zone numbers, so keep captions off the bottom and right edges where the title, channel name and buttons sit.
Mimic exports vertical 9:16 video with captions and titles kept inside the apps' safe zones and off the speaker's face.
Sources
- [1] YouTube Help, Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts. Checked October 2026.
- [2] YouTube Help, Upload YouTube Shorts. Checked October 2026.
- [3] YouTube Help, Create YouTube Shorts. Checked October 2026.
- [4] YouTube Help, YouTube recommended upload encoding settings. Checked October 2026.
- [5] YouTube Help, Upload videos longer than 15 minutes. Checked October 2026.
- [6] YouTube Help, Edit video settings. Checked October 2026.
- [7] Google Ads Help, YouTube Shorts ads: Asset specs and best practices. Checked October 2026.
Platforms change limits without notice. Check the linked page before a big campaign.
Questions
How long can a YouTube Short be?
Up to 3 minutes, for square or vertical videos uploaded on or after October 15, 2024.
What aspect ratio makes a video a Short?
Square or vertical. Wider ratios such as 16:9 are treated as long-form videos.
What resolution should Shorts be?
Shorts made in the YouTube app top out at 1080p. Vertical 9:16 is the ratio Google calls best suited.
How long can a Shorts title be?
100 characters. Descriptions can run to 5,000.
What bitrate should I export Shorts at?
YouTube suggests 8 Mbps for 1080p at 24–30 fps and 12 Mbps at 48–60 fps.
Made for YouTube Shorts, edited by Mimic.
Raw clip in. Captions, cuts, hook and product shots out.
Get started