Key takeaways
- YouTube Shorts support videos up to 3 minutes long, up from the original 60-second limit as of an October 2024 change.
- Platforms change these limits without much notice — treat this as a checkpoint, not a permanent guarantee.
The YouTube Shorts length limit
- Maximum length: 3 minutes
- Raised from the original 60-second limit in October 2024
- Puts Shorts closer to Instagram Reels’ shorter tier and within range of TikTok’s format
What still defines a "Short"
A vertical (or square) aspect ratio remains part of what YouTube treats as a Short, alongside the length — a video within the 3-minute limit but shot in landscape may not surface as a Short in the same way.
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FAQ
- How long can a YouTube Short be?
- Up to 3 minutes, as of a limit increase in October 2024 (previously 60 seconds).
- Was the YouTube Shorts limit always 3 minutes?
- No — it was originally 60 seconds and was raised to 3 minutes in October 2024.
- Does aspect ratio matter, not just length, for a video to count as a Short?
- Yes — a vertical or square aspect ratio is part of what YouTube treats as Shorts content, alongside staying within the length limit.