How to Post a Video to YouTube & YouTube Shorts
Last updated: June 12, 2026
YouTube has landscape “regular videos” and vertical “Shorts,” each with a best aspect ratio. This guide covers the format, size and length for posting, and how to prep your video first.
Regular videos vs Shorts
| Type | Aspect ratio | Length (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular video | 16:9 (landscape) | generous |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 (vertical) | up to ~60 sec |
※ Specs can change. MP4 (H.264 + AAC) is the safest format.
For Shorts, crop to 9:16
To be treated as a Short, the video must be vertical (9:16) and short. Crop a landscape clip to 9:16 with our crop tool, and trim it to 60 seconds or less if needed.
Sort out format and size
- Won't upload / won't process: convert to MP4 to be safe.
- Slow upload: compress to lighten the file. Smooth even on a thin connection.
- Combine clips: merge into one before uploading.
Keep the quality up
YouTube re-encodes after upload, so a low-quality source ends up rough. When cropping or converting, don't drop the resolution too far — aim for 1080p for regular videos. Even when compressing, keep the resolution as high as you can and adjust other settings.
FAQ
- Q. Can I make a landscape video a Short?
- A. As-is it shows small. Crop to 9:16 and keep it under 60 sec to post as a Short.
- Q. Is my video uploaded?
- A. No — our tools process everything in your browser.
- Q. Can I do this on my phone?
- A. Yes — crop/convert in your phone's browser, then post in the YouTube app.