Best Video Dimensions for YouTube Shorts

These Are the Best Video Dimensions for YouTube Shorts

What's the best aspect ratio to use for YouTube Shorts? Are you able to create square videos that still be featured on the shelf for Shorts in the app for YouTube? Continue reading to learn more.

How to Get the Right Size for YouTube Shorts

Here are the fundamental technical requirements for making an Short:

Aspect ratio 9:16 (creates the vertical format)
Resolution Resolution: 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels (standard length-to-width ratio of vertical contents)

Can You Make a Square YouTube Short?

There's a small exception to YouTube's rules regarding vertical videos. It appears that YouTube Shorts don't need to be vertical, as long as they're square. You can also create Shorts that have an aspect ratio of 1:1 with dimensions that are 1080 pixels by 1080. The videos will appear to be perfect squares. Technically, they're not at all vertical, however YouTube will classify the videos as Shorts.

See the square format in comparison to what's vertical below. If you view a YouTube Short is square (left) there will be black bars on top and beneath the frame of the video. The extra "length" can be what makes the video to qualify (probably) as being a YouTube Short. Video that is vertical (right) are the most popular on the mobile screen.

Of course, we've tested everything using the videoIQ Shorts channel to make sure it was safe.

We are aware that square videos could be YouTube Shorts because:

Our video test (a square) was added to the Shorts shelf which only showcases YouTube Shorts.
A large portion of all views to videos comes via the YouTube Shorts traffic source.

Here's the test video that we used to verify the results:

There are benefits and drawbacks in making YouTube videos that are square.

Pro: The video will include a black and unsightly bar between the top and bottom of the screen.
Professional: The square videos make the lower portion of the screen unfilled viewers are able to identify your channel's name, the title of the video and the button to subscribe.

YouTube Shorts: Can They Be 'Wider' Than Perfect Squares?

In the subsequent YouTube Shorts test, we wanted to test whether we could create a video that was larger than an square. We uploaded a video that was only 10 pixels bigger than its height and, as we anticipated it didn't show up on our top Shorts page. This is an area that YouTube automatically populates, so the results are obvious the video is not an YouTube Short.

The widest YouTube Short you can make is a square-shaped video. In the event that the YouTube video's width is bigger than it is taller the video will not be classified as an official YouTube Short.

Another rule to remember Do not make your video that is more skinnier than one you make on your smartphone. We produced a video with the resolution of 360 pixels by 1920 pixels and even though viewers are able to watch it on YouTube however, it did not appear on the Shorts shelves.

To view the entire YouTube Shorts we have been test - and see what could be the most skinny video on Earth Check out the video below for an explanation:

The most important thing you need to be aware of? shooting a vertical video on your smartphone (as is intended) is the simplest method of creating YouTube Shorts. It is easy to use the correct aspect ratio , and entirely skip the "technical" things.