MotionShineShort answer: YouTube Help says the standard aspect ratio on a computer is 16:9. For 16:9 video it lists sizes from 426x240 up to 7680x4320 (8K), and 1920x1080 is the full HD one. Shorts are vertical. Thumbnails are 16:9, with 3840x2160 as the recommended size. Everything below was checked on 24 October 2026 on YouTube Help pages. The pages show no publish date that I could find, so treat the numbers as current as of that day.
The sizes YouTube lists for 16:9 video
This is the list from YouTube Help's page on aspect ratios and resolutions. Width and height are in pixels.
| Name | Size |
|---|---|
| 8K (4320p) | 7680x4320 |
| 4K (2160p) | 3840x2160 |
| 2K (1440p) | 2560x1440 |
| HD (1080p) | 1920x1080 |
| HD (720p) | 1280x720 |
| SD (480p) | 854x480 |
| SD (360p) | 640x360 |
| SD (240p) | 426x240 |
One more line from the same page: "In 2022, we started removing support for playback at resolutions between 4K and 8K." So if you plan to upload at an in between size, check that it plays at the quality you expect.
If you are not sure what "4K" means in practice, what is 4K video explains it.
What is the aspect ratio of a YouTube video?
The page says: "The standard aspect ratio for YouTube on a computer is 16:9." It also says YouTube shows videos with different aspect ratios depending on the platform and the format, and that "The YouTube video player automatically adapts to the size of each individual video."
That means you can upload a video that is not 16:9. The player will fit it. What changes is the padding:
- For some shapes, such as 9:16 vertical video on a computer browser, YouTube may add more padding for the best viewing.
- The padding is white by default, and dark gray when Dark theme is on.
- YouTube's advice: "For best results, avoid adding padding or black bars directly to your video." Export at the real shape of your video and let the player handle the rest.
The page does not use the words pillarbox or letterbox. It calls the effect padding or black bars. It also gives no pixel size for the player itself, so any guide that quotes a fixed player size is not quoting that page.
Not sure of your video's shape? The free aspect ratio calculator works it out from a width and height and shows what to crop or pad to reach 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1.
Recommended upload settings
YouTube Help has a separate page for recommended encoding settings. These are recommendations, and the page also says the video should be uploaded at the frame rate you recorded at.
| Setting | What the page recommends |
|---|---|
| Container | MP4, with the moov atom at the front of the file (Fast Start) |
| Video codec | H.264, progressive scan, High Profile |
| Chroma subsampling | 4:2:0 |
| Audio codec | AAC-LC (Opus is also listed) |
| Audio sample rate | 48 kHz |
| Frame rate | The one you recorded at. Common rates: 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 fps |
| Color space (SDR) | BT.709 |
Recommended video bitrates (SDR)
| Resolution | 24, 25 or 30 fps | 48, 50 or 60 fps |
|---|---|---|
| 4K (2160p) | 35 to 45 Mbps | 53 to 68 Mbps |
| 1440p (2K) | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps |
| 480p | 2.5 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p | 1 Mbps | 1.5 Mbps |
The same page lists 8K bitrates (80 to 160 Mbps at 24 to 30 fps, 120 to 240 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps) and a separate, higher HDR table. If the word bitrate is new, read what is video bitrate. For the codec choice on a Mac, see H.264 vs HEVC for screen recordings and MOV vs MP4 for screen recordings.
Upload limits: file size and length
YouTube Help says: "The maximum file size you can upload is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less." It also says that by default you can upload videos up to 15 minutes long, and that verified accounts can upload longer ones. For files over 256 GB, the page suggests compressing with a video editor using the H.264 codec. Most screen recordings are far smaller. If yours is not, see how to compress a video on Mac.
YouTube Shorts size
From YouTube Help's Shorts page:
- Shorts are short-form videos up to 3 minutes long.
- You can upload vertical videos as Shorts.
- The maximum resolution is 1080p.
- The page does not give an exact aspect ratio and does not mention square video.
The common 9:16 shape (1080x1920) is general knowledge, not a line from that page. To turn a landscape recording into a vertical clip, the free video resizer and crop video tool run in your browser.
YouTube thumbnail size
From the thumbnail guidance on YouTube Help:
| Video thumbnail | Shorts thumbnail | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended size | 3840x2160 | 2160x3840 |
| Minimum | 640 px wide | 640 px high |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 9:16 |
| File type | JPG or PNG | JPG or PNG |
| Max file size | 2 MB on mobile, 50 MB on desktop | 50 MB on desktop |
The page also says to use the largest image possible, and that a 16:9 custom thumbnail on a vertical video is replaced by an auto-generated 4:5 thumbnail on some pages. You can build a 16:9 thumbnail with the free YouTube thumbnail maker.
If you make videos from screen recordings, the size question starts at the recorder. MotionShine, by the maker of this blog, is a free Mac screen recorder with auto zoom, a smooth cursor and a full editor. Free exports go up to 720p at 30 fps, which matches the 720p row above, with no watermark and no time limit. Pro unlocks 1080p, 1440p, 4K and 60 fps, so a 1080p upload needs Pro. It is a one-time price. It is not the right pick if you only need a quick clip. QuickTime is fine for that.
Which size should you pick?
This part is general advice, not a rule from YouTube.
- A normal tutorial or demo: 1080p at 16:9 is the safe middle. It matches a row in YouTube's list and the 8 Mbps bitrate row is a modest file.
- Small text on screen: go higher if your recorder allows it, because text is the first thing to blur. See video editing tips for screen recordings.
- A Short: record or crop to vertical, keep it under 3 minutes, and do not go above 1080p.
- Not sure about your source: check its width and height, then compare with the table above.
FAQ
What size is a YouTube video?
The standard shape is 16:9. YouTube Help lists sizes from 426x240 to 7680x4320 for 16:9, and 1920x1080 is full HD.
What is the best resolution for YouTube?
YouTube Help gives no single best size. It lists the recommended bitrate for each resolution. 1080p is a common choice for tutorials, but that is general advice.
Can I upload a vertical or square video to YouTube?
Yes. The player adapts to each video. YouTube says it may add padding for some shapes, such as 9:16 on a computer browser.
What is the maximum YouTube video file size?
256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less, according to YouTube Help. The default length without verification is 15 minutes.
What size should a YouTube thumbnail be?
16:9, with 3840x2160 recommended and at least 640 px wide. JPG or PNG.
What aspect ratio are YouTube Shorts?
The Shorts page says vertical and does not give a ratio. 9:16 is the usual shape, but that is not stated there.
