Published by the Zolyp team ·
What resolution and aspect ratio should a YouTube video be?
16:9 is the standard on a computer, but vertical and square videos are fine too: the player resizes to fit each video and device. These are YouTube's recommended 16:9 resolutions:
- Don't add black bars or padding to your video. YouTube adds its own padding where needed, such as around 9:16 videos in computer browsers.
- Since 2022, YouTube has been removing playback support for resolutions between 4K and 8K, such as 5K.
| Label | Resolution (pixels) |
|---|---|
| 4320p (8K) | 7680 x 4320 |
| 2160p (4K) | 3840 x 2160 |
| 1440p (2K) | 2560 x 1440 |
| 1080p (HD) | 1920 x 1080 |
| 720p (HD) | 1280 x 720 |
| 480p (SD) | 854 x 480 |
| 360p (SD) | 640 x 360 |
| 240p (SD) | 426 x 240 |
Sources: YouTube Help: Video resolution & aspect ratios, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Upload YouTube videos, checked 15 October 2026
Which file formats does YouTube accept?
YouTube lists these supported formats: .MOV, .MPEG-1, .MPEG-2, .MPEG4, .MP4, .MPG, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, WebM, DNxHR, ProRes, CineForm and HEVC (H.265).
- Audio-only files such as MP3, WAV or PCM can't be uploaded as a video. Add an image in a video editor first.
- Audio files can be uploaded only as extra language tracks for an existing video.
- An invalid file format error means the file isn't in the list above; convert it and try again.
Sources: YouTube Help: Supported YouTube file formats, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Upload YouTube videos, checked 15 October 2026
What are YouTube's recommended encoding settings?
YouTube publishes these as recommended upload settings for videos. The page also carries a note that its features are only available to partners using YouTube Studio Content Manager, so treat them as a reference rather than an upload requirement:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Container | MP4, with the moov atom at the front (Fast Start) and no edit lists |
| Video codec | H.264, progressive scan, High Profile, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, variable bitrate |
| Frame rate | The same rate it was recorded at; common rates are 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 fps. Deinterlace interlaced footage first |
| Audio | AAC-LC (Opus is also listed), 48 kHz sample rate; 384 kbps for stereo |
| Colour space (SDR) | BT.709 |
| 1080p bitrate (SDR) | 8 Mbps at 24 to 30 fps, 12 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps |
| 4K bitrate (SDR) | 35 to 45 Mbps at 24 to 30 fps, 53 to 68 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps |
Source: YouTube Help: YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 15 October 2026
How long can a YouTube video be?
Every account can upload videos up to 15 minutes. Verified accounts can upload files up to 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less. On a computer you can upload up to 15 videos at a time, and daily upload limits apply per channel. To upload longer videos, YouTube gives these steps for the YouTube app on Android:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap Create, then Upload a video.
- Select a video longer than 15 minutes.
- Add the title, description and settings, then tap Next.
- Complete verification with a code sent by text message or an automated voice call.
Sources: YouTube Help: Upload videos longer than 15 minutes, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Upload YouTube videos, checked 15 October 2026
Why won't my video upload or look right?
Common upload problems and fixes:
- Stuck at 15 minutes: verify the account. If you could upload long videos before and now can't, check for copyright claims and strikes.
- Longer video still won't play after verifying: upload it again in YouTube Studio.
- File over 256 GB: compress it in video editing software; YouTube recommends the H.264 codec.
- Only low quality after upload: processing time depends on quality, length, format and traffic, and higher qualities take longer. Verifying your account can speed it up.
- Black bars on a vertical video: remove them from the file and let the player adapt.
- Video saved as private: closing the upload window before choosing visibility saves it as private.
- Can't watch in 4K: new 4K uploads need a browser or device that supports VP9.
Sources: YouTube Help: Upload videos longer than 15 minutes, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Upload YouTube videos, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Video resolution & aspect ratios, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 15 October 2026
Where Zolyp fits
Get the export settings right once and every upload after it goes up cleanly. Zolyp, which publishes this guide, publishes to YouTube as one of 9 platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Threads). It creates video uploads and Shorts with titles and descriptions written for search, can set a custom thumbnail on a standard video, and schedules them with the posts on your other networks. You approve the week before anything goes live.
Common questions
What is the best video size for YouTube?
1920 x 1080 for 1080p HD or 3840 x 2160 for 4K, both 16:9. Vertical and square videos are accepted too.
What is the maximum file size for a YouTube upload?
256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less, once your account is verified. Unverified accounts are limited to 15 minutes.
What is the best format to upload to YouTube?
YouTube recommends an MP4 file with H.264 video and AAC-LC audio at 48 kHz. MOV, AVI, WMV, WebM, ProRes and other formats are also supported.
Can I upload a vertical video to YouTube?
Yes. The player adapts to the video's aspect ratio. Don't add black bars; YouTube adds its own padding where needed.
Can I upload an MP3 to YouTube?
Not on its own. Audio files can't be uploaded as a video, so add an image in a video editor first.