# YouTube Shorts size, length and format (2026)

YouTube's official limits for YouTube Shorts, checked 2026-10-21, plus a free checker for your file.

Last checked against each network's documentation on 2026-10-21. Check a file in your browser at https://usepostify.com/tools/youtube-shorts-size (nothing is uploaded).

## Limits

### YouTube Short

- Any video MIME type. Source: [YouTube Data API: videos.insert](https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/docs/videos/insert), checked 2026-10-21.
- Up to 3 minutes; a longer video is uploaded as a regular video, not a Short. Source: [YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/12779649), checked 2026-10-21.
- Square or vertical; a landscape video is not a Short. Source: [YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/12779649), checked 2026-10-21.
- Shorts are uploaded at up to 1080p. (warning, not a refusal) Source: [YouTube Help: Get started with YouTube Shorts](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10059070), checked 2026-10-21.
- At most 256 GB. Source: [YouTube Data API: videos.insert](https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/docs/videos/insert), checked 2026-10-21.

## Questions

### How long can a YouTube Short be?

At most 3 min. YouTube states: "Up to 3 minutes; a longer video is uploaded as a regular video, not a Short." Source: YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts, checked 2026-10-21.

### What is the maximum file size for a YouTube Short?

At most 256 GB. YouTube states: "At most 256 GB." Source: YouTube Data API: videos.insert, checked 2026-10-21.

### What file types does YouTube accept for a YouTube Short?

any video file. YouTube states: "Any video MIME type." Source: YouTube Data API: videos.insert, checked 2026-10-21.

## Run it from code

```bash
curl -s "https://usepostify.com/api/tools/validate-media?type=video/mp4&bytes=48000000&width=1080&height=1920&duration=42"
```

Other networks: [Instagram](https://usepostify.com/tools/instagram-reel-size), [TikTok](https://usepostify.com/tools/tiktok-video-requirements), [YouTube](https://usepostify.com/tools/youtube-shorts-size), [LinkedIn](https://usepostify.com/tools/linkedin-video-requirements), [Facebook](https://usepostify.com/tools/facebook-reel-size), [Bluesky](https://usepostify.com/tools/bluesky-video-requirements), [Pinterest](https://usepostify.com/tools/pinterest-pin-size).