YouTube aspect ratios and sizes
YouTube adapts its player to different source shapes. Use 16:9 for the standard computer player, and plan square or vertical video for Shorts without baking black bars into the file.
YouTube size quick reference
| Placement | Ratio | Working size | Basis | Planning note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape video | 16:9 | 1920 × 1080 | Official 1080p example | Standard Full HD landscape upload and a common editing timeline. | |
| YouTube Short | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 | Practical vertical canvas | A full-screen vertical source; eligible Shorts may also be square or vertical. | |
| Video thumbnail | 16:9 | 3840 × 2160 | Official recommendation | Large 16:9 thumbnail source; minimum width and file-size limits still apply. | |
| Shorts thumbnail | 9:16 | 2160 × 3840 | Official recommendation | Vertical thumbnail recommendation for supported upload workflows. |
Choose between YouTube video and Shorts formats
- Use 16:9 for conventional landscape video; YouTube lists 1920 × 1080, 2560 × 1440 and 3840 × 2160 among its exact 16:9 examples.
- For Shorts, use a square or vertical source and check current duration eligibility. A 1080 × 1920 timeline is a practical full-screen 9:16 choice.
- Do not add black bars to force a ratio. YouTube advises uploading the native aspect ratio so its player can adapt to the viewer's device.
A practical export workflow
Set the editing timeline to the destination shape before placing captions or graphics. Export video and thumbnail as separate assets: they can share a ratio but use different files, compression and safe-area decisions.
Use the image checker for a source image or the video calculator for planned export dimensions. Calculations happen in your browser.
What this guide does not guarantee
Shorts classification depends on shape, upload date, duration and channel context. This page summarizes current official guidance and links to the source pages; check YouTube Studio before publishing a time-sensitive campaign.
A ratio describes shape; it does not guarantee file quality, accepted codec, duration, file size or how an interface crops a preview.
Official references
Platform requirements change. These first-party pages are the final reference for a current publishing decision.
Related calculators and guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard YouTube video aspect ratio?
The standard computer-player ratio is 16:9. YouTube's official examples include 1280 × 720, 1920 × 1080, 2560 × 1440 and 3840 × 2160.
Do YouTube Shorts have to be 9:16?
Not exclusively. Current YouTube guidance describes eligible Shorts as square or vertical, subject to duration and upload-date rules. 9:16 remains the practical full-screen vertical choice.
Should I add black bars before uploading?
No. YouTube recommends uploading the native aspect ratio without baked-in letterboxing or pillarboxing so the player can adapt correctly.