youtube format video size,YouTube Format Video Size: Mastering Dimensions for Better Engagement

July 16, 2024

•

Nitin is the CEO of quickads.ai with 20+ years of experience in the field of marketing and advertising. Previously, he was a partner at McKinsey & Co and MD at Accenture, where he has led 20+ marketing transformations.

Here's a quick guide to YouTube video sizes and formats for better engagement:

Best resolution: 1080p (1920x1080) for most content
Aspect ratio: 16:9 is standard
File format: MP4 with H.264 codec
Max file size: 256 GB
Max length: 12 hours (verified accounts), 15 minutes (unverified)

Key points:

Choose the right resolution for your content type
Optimize for mobile viewing (70% of YouTube views)
Use correct thumbnail and channel art sizes
Compress videos to balance quality and file size

Aspect	Recommendation
Video resolution	1080p (1920x1080)
Aspect ratio	16:9
File format	MP4 (H.264 codec)
Frame rate	30 fps
Thumbnail size	1280x720 pixels
Channel art size	2560x1440 pixels

Understanding these basics helps create videos that look good across devices and keep viewers engaged.

YouTube Video Dimensions Explained

YouTube video dimensions are about the size and resolution of your video. Knowing these helps you make videos that look good on different screens.

What is Video Resolution?

Video resolution is how many pixels make up your video. More pixels mean a clearer video. Some common resolutions are 1080p, 4K, and 8K. For example, a 1080p video is 1920x1080 pixels.

YouTube's Supported Resolutions

YouTube allows various video resolutions, from 240p to 2160p. Here's a table of common resolutions:

Resolution	Dimensions	Best For
240p	426x240	Slow internet
360p	640x360	Smartphones
480p	854x480	TVs and computers
720p	1280x720	HD TVs and computers
1080p	1920x1080	Better playback devices
1440p	2560x1440	High-end devices
2160p	3840x2160	4K devices

Best Dimensions for Different Content

The best size for your video depends on what you're making. Here are some tips:

Vlogs and tutorials: Use 1080p (1920x1080) or 1440p (2560x1440)
Ads and promo videos: Try 720p (1280x720) or 1080p (1920x1080)
Music videos and movies: Go for 2160p (3840x2160) or 4320p (7680x4320)

Pick the size that fits your content and looks good on the devices your viewers use most.

Understanding Aspect Ratios

Aspect ratios are important for video making. They decide how wide and tall your video looks on different screens. Let's look at the main aspect ratios for YouTube and how to use them.

The 16:9 Aspect Ratio

16:9 is the most common aspect ratio for YouTube. It works well on:

TVs
Computers
Phones

Most people use 16:9 for their videos because it looks good on many screens.

Other Aspect Ratios

Sometimes, you might want to use a different aspect ratio:

Aspect Ratio	Shape	Best For
1:1	Square	Instagram posts
4:3	Older TV shape	Old-style videos
9:16	Tall	YouTube Shorts, phone videos

How to Change Aspect Ratios

You can change your video's aspect ratio when you edit it. Here are three ways:

Cut the edges: Take away parts of the video to make it fit.
Add black bars: Put black spaces above and below (or on the sides) of your video.
Make it bigger or smaller: Change the whole video size, but this might make it look less clear.

Pick the way that works best for your video and where people will watch it.

YouTube Video Size Rules

File Size and Length Limits

YouTube sets limits on file size and video length:

Aspect	Limit
Max file size	256 GB
Max length (verified accounts)	12 hours
Max length (unverified accounts)	15 minutes

Remember, big files can be hard to upload if your internet is slow.

Best File Sizes

Here are good file sizes for different video qualities:

Resolution	Bitrate	File Size
1080p	5000 kbps	1-2 GB
720p	3000 kbps	500 MB - 1 GB
480p	1500 kbps	200-500 MB
360p	1000 kbps	100-200 MB

Keeping Quality While Reducing Size

To make your video smaller without losing quality:

Use good video formats like H.264 or VP9
Set the right bitrate for your video quality
Keep the same frame rate and aspect ratio
Remove extra audio tracks or subtitles
Use tools like Handbrake or FFmpeg to make the file smaller

These tips help you make videos that look good but don't take up too much space.

Best Video Formats for YouTube

YouTube-Approved Formats

YouTube accepts many video formats. The main ones are:

MP4
MOV
AVI
WMV
FLV
WebM

Some other formats work too, but these are the most common.

Comparing Video Formats

Here's a simple look at some popular video formats:

Format	File Size	Quality	Good For
MP4	Medium	High	Most videos
MOV	Large	High	Apple devices
AVI	Large	Medium	Windows computers
WMV	Medium	Medium	Older Windows systems
FLV	Small	Low	Older web videos
WebM	Small	Medium	Web browsers

Picking the Right Format

When choosing a video format for YouTube, think about:

Quality: For the best look, use MP4 or MOV.
File size: If you need a small file, try FLV or WebM.
Device support: MP4 works on most devices.
Video type: Some formats work better for certain types of videos.

For most people, MP4 is a good choice. It gives high quality and works on many devices.

Video Encoding for YouTube

Video encoding helps make your files smaller and better for YouTube. This part explains how to encode your videos correctly.

Video Codec Options

H.264 is the best video codec for YouTube. Here's why:

Aspect	H.264 Benefits
Quality	Good video quality
File size	Smaller files
Support	Works on many devices

Audio Codec Choices

For audio, use AAC-LC. It's good because:

It makes high-quality sound
The files are small
It works on most devices

Choosing Frame Rates

Frame rate is how many pictures your video shows each second. For YouTube:

Frame Rate	Use Case
24 fps	Movies, cinematic videos
25 fps	TV shows, some countries
30 fps	Most videos, good all-around choice

If you're not sure, use 30 fps. It looks smooth and doesn't make files too big.

YouTube Image Size Guide

Channel Art Sizes

For YouTube banners:

Aspect	Size
Full banner size	2560 x 1440 pixels
Safe area	1235 x 338 pixels

Use the full size for best quality. Put key info in the safe area so it's not cut off on different screens.

Profile Picture Dimensions

For YouTube profile pictures:

Aspect	Details
Size	800 x 800 pixels
File types	JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG

Pick a clear image that people can easily spot. This helps viewers find your channel.

Thumbnail Sizes

For video thumbnails:

Aspect	Details
Size	1280 x 720 pixels
Aspect ratio	16:9

Make thumbnails that stand out and show what your video is about. Good thumbnails can make more people click on your videos.

Making Videos Mobile-Friendly

Why Mobile Matters

Most people watch YouTube on their phones. Over 70% of YouTube views come from mobile devices. If your videos don't look good on phones, you're missing out on many viewers.

Resizing for Mobile

To make your videos look good on phones:

Aspect	Recommended Size
Video size	1280 x 720 pixels
Aspect ratio	16:9

This size fits well on small screens and keeps good quality.

Mobile-Friendly Content Tips

Here's how to make videos that work well on phones:

Tip	Explanation
Keep videos short	Phone viewers don't watch for long
Use clear titles	Make titles easy to read on small screens
Make good thumbnails	Use clear, eye-catching images
Use the same style	Keep fonts, colors, and layouts the same in all videos

These tips help make your videos easy to watch on phones.

Advanced Video Size Optimization

Video Compression Techniques

To make videos smaller without losing quality, try these methods:

Technique	Description
Use H.264 or H.265 codec	Makes files smaller while keeping good quality
Lower bitrate	Reduces file size but might affect quality
Use compression tools	HandBrake or Adobe Media Encoder can help adjust settings

Video Resizing Tools

Here are some tools to change video size and format:

Tool	Type	Features
HandBrake	Free	Changes video formats and sizes
Adobe Media Encoder	Paid	Advanced features like color and audio editing
MiniTool Video Converter	Free	Can change many videos at once

Balancing Quality and Size

To make videos look good but not take up too much space:

Pick a good codec like H.264 or H.265
Change the bitrate to find the right balance
Maybe lower the resolution or frame rate, but be careful
Use tools like HandBrake to adjust settings

Fixing Common Video Size Problems

Solving Upload Failures

When your video won't upload, try these fixes:

Problem	Solution
Slow internet	Wait for a better connection
Busy upload times	Try uploading late at night
Video too big	Make your video shorter or smaller
Copied video	Change your video to make it new

Fixing Aspect Ratio Issues

If your video looks wrong on YouTube, check these:

Issue	Fix
Wrong shape	Use 16:9 size for YouTube
Black bars or stretched	Crop or resize your video
Video looks odd	Check and fix the video's shape

Resolving Playback Problems

When your video won't play right:

Problem	What to Do
Video won't play	Make sure your video type works on YouTube
Sound and picture don't match	Fix the timing in your video editor
Video stops and starts	Check your internet or lower the video quality

Future of YouTube Video Formats

As video technology grows, YouTube's video format needs will change. This section looks at new video tech, what YouTube might do next, and how to get ready.

New Video Technologies

YouTube now supports 8K videos. As more people get 8K devices, more creators might use this high-quality format.

Expected YouTube Changes

YouTube will likely change to keep up with new tech and how people watch videos. Some possible changes are:

Change	Description
More high-quality videos	More support for 4K and 8K videos
Focus on mobile	Videos that look good on phones

Getting Ready for Changes

To be ready for new YouTube formats:

Buy good recording equipment for high-quality videos
Try new video types like 8K or 3D graphics
Make videos that look good on phones
Keep up with YouTube trends and changes

Conclusion

Key Points to Remember

To make good YouTube videos, you need to know about video size and format. Here are the main things to keep in mind:

Aspect	What to Know
Resolution	Use YouTube's supported sizes (like 1080p or 4K)
Aspect Ratio	16:9 works best for most videos
File Size	Stay within YouTube's limits
Video Format	MP4 with H.264 codec is a good choice
Mobile	Make sure videos look good on phones

Keeping Up with Changes

YouTube often changes its rules for videos. To make sure your videos work well:

Check YouTube's guidelines often
Learn about new video types (like 8K or 3D)
Make videos that look good on all devices
Be ready to change how you make videos if needed

FAQs

What video dimensions are best for YouTube?

For YouTube videos:

Aspect Ratio	Description
16:9	Best choice for most videos
1:1	Square videos (will have black borders)
9:16	Vertical videos (will have black borders)

Using 16:9 helps your videos look good without black borders.

Is 1280x720 good for YouTube?

For YouTube thumbnails:

Aspect	Details
Size	1280x720 pixels
Aspect Ratio	16:9

This size works well for thumbnails. Good thumbnails can help get more views.

Is 1920x1080 good for YouTube Shorts?

For YouTube Shorts:

Aspect	Details
Video length	Up to 60 seconds
Resolution	1920x1080 pixels
Format	Vertical

YouTube Shorts should be vertical videos, 60 seconds or less, with 1920x1080 resolution.

Also view on Youtube:

youtube format video size,YouTube Format Video Size: Mastering Dimensions for Better Engagement

Features

Use cases

information