What size should a YouTube video be?
| Spec | YouTube (regular uploads) |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 is standard on computer; vertical and square are accepted and the player adapts |
| Resolution | Tiers named: 8K, 2160p, 1440p, 1080p, 720p, 480p, 360p (no pixel sizes given) |
| Max length | 15 minutes by default; verified accounts can go longer |
| Max file size | 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less |
| Frame rate | Upload at the recorded rate; common rates 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60 fps |
| Bitrate (SDR, 1080p) | 8 Mbps at 24 to 30 fps; 12 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps |
| Bitrate (SDR, 2160p) | 35 to 45 Mbps at 24 to 30 fps; 53 to 68 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps |
Source: YouTube recommended upload encoding settings and Upload videos longer than 15 minutes, YouTube Help, checked November 4, 2026.
YouTube names tiers but not pixel sizes. At 16:9 they work out to 3840×2160 (2160p), 2560×1440 (1440p), 1920×1080 (1080p) and 1280×720 (720p). That's arithmetic, not YouTube's wording.
How long can a YouTube video be?
15 minutes by default. To upload longer videos, verify your account with an SMS code or an automated voice call, and check your status under Feature eligibility in YouTube Studio. After that, the cap is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less; some older videos run past 12 hours from earlier limits (YouTube Help).
What file format and encoding does YouTube recommend?
Accepted formats: .MOV, .MPEG-1, .MPEG-2, .MPEG4, .MP4, .MPG, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, WebM, DNxHR, ProRes, CineForm and HEVC (H.265) (Supported YouTube file formats).
Recommended encode (encoding settings): MP4 container with no edit lists and the moov atom at the front; H.264 High Profile, progressive, 2 consecutive B-frames, closed GOP of half the frame rate, CABAC, 4:2:0. Audio AAC-LC, Opus or Eclipsa Audio, stereo or stereo + 5.1, 48 kHz. Deinterlace interlaced footage before upload.
Captions: upload a subtitle file in YouTube Studio, with or without timing (Add subtitles and captions). Supported files include .srt, .sbv/.sub, .mpsub, .lrc, .cap, .smi/.sami, .rt, .vtt, .ttml, .dfxp, .scc, .stl, .tds, .cin and .asc (supported caption files).
What is the YouTube thumbnail size?
| Spec | Videos | Shorts |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3840×2160 | 2160×3840 |
| Minimum | 640 px wide | 640 px tall |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 9:16 |
| Format | JPG or PNG | JPG or PNG |
| Max file size | 2 MB from mobile; 50 MB from desktop | 50 MB from desktop |
Source: Section "Image size & resolution" of Add custom thumbnails on YouTube, YouTube Help, checked November 4, 2026. Podcast playlist thumbnails are 1:1, up to 10 MB from mobile.
Is 1280×720 still the YouTube thumbnail size?
Not on YouTube's current help page. The widely quoted 1280×720 doesn't appear there; the page gives 3840×2160 for video thumbnails with a 640-pixel minimum width (YouTube Help). A 1280×720 image is 16:9 and above the 640-pixel minimum, so it's within the stated rules, but it isn't the size YouTube publishes. Design at 3840×2160 and export a JPG under 2 MB if you upload from a phone.
Exporting a launch video for YouTube
| Setting | Recommended export |
|---|---|
| Size | 1920×1080 (16:9), or 3840×2160 if your source is 4K |
| File | MP4, H.264 High Profile, moov atom at the front |
| Frame rate | The rate it was made at (30 fps for most launch films) |
| Bitrate | About 8 Mbps at 1080p30 (YouTube's SDR guide) |
| Audio | AAC-LC, stereo, 48 kHz |
| Length | 30 to 120 seconds; under 15 minutes works before verification |
| Thumbnail | 3840×2160 JPG or PNG |
Our recommendation, chosen to sit inside the YouTube limits above. The full guide: how to make a launch video.
YouTube is where most launch films end up, because Product Hunt only accepts a YouTube link for the gallery video: a full URL, not private (Product Hunt, checked November 2, 2026). Upload it before launch day and don't set it to private. See the Product Hunt launch video guide for the rest of the gallery specs.