Free tool · YouTube
How long can YouTube Shorts be?
YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes (180 seconds) long. Anything longer posts as a regular video, and a Short over 1 minute with a copyright claim on it is blocked. Check your video below.
YouTube Short length
Up to 3 minutes
Shorts over 1 minute with a copyright claim on them are blocked worldwide.
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YouTube Shorts length limits
| Limit | Length |
|---|---|
| Longest Short | 3 minutes (since 15 October 2024) |
| Copyright claims | Shorts over 1 minute with a claim are blocked |
| Shorts Audio Library music | Up to 90 seconds in a 3-minute Short, less for some songs |
| Shorts ads | Up to 3 minutes; the Shorts feed plays the first 60 seconds |
The 1-minute rule for music
Shorts got longer in October 2024, but music rules didn't follow. A Short over 1 minute with any Content ID claim, including a song you added outside YouTube's tools, is blocked everywhere. Under a minute, nothing changed.
If your Short is longer than a minute, use music from the Shorts Audio Library through YouTube's own editor. Most songs there can run for up to 90 seconds; YouTube shows you the limit when you pick one.
Too long for a Short?
A vertical video over 3 minutes posts as a regular video. That's fine for a longer piece, but it won't appear in the Shorts feed. Cut it under 3 minutes if the Shorts feed is where you want it.
Questions
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Last checked 2 October 2026
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