YouTube Shorts Max Length
One current, source-verified answer instead of another contradictory blog post — plus a free calculator for how many clips your episode will make.
YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes (180 seconds) long, with no official minimum — but if your Short uses licensed music, most songs are only cleared for up to 90 seconds, and Shorts over 60 seconds with an active copyright claim get blocked worldwide.
YouTube Shorts Max Length Checker Tool
Max length
3 minutes
Min length
No stated minimum
Ideal range for engagement
15-60 seconds for the best completion rate
Most licensed music can be used for up to 90 seconds within a 3-minute Short; some tracks are restricted to 60 or 30 seconds by the rights holder.
A Short longer than 60 seconds with an active copyright claim is blocked worldwide and ineligible for monetization, regardless of the claim type.
Clip-count calculator
Enter your source episode length to see how many clips you’d get at common target durations.
Enter your episode length above to see clip counts.
Why does the YouTube Shorts length limit matter?
Going even a second over 3 minutes disqualifies a video from Shorts placement entirely — it just becomes a regular long-form upload. And the copyright-claim cutoff at 60 seconds can silently block a video worldwide even after it’s live. Knowing the real numbers (source: support.google.com/youtube/answer/15424877) means you can plan your cut length before you export.
Also check your captions and CTAs against YouTube Shorts’ safe zone before you post, so nothing gets hidden behind the app’s own UI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the max length for a YouTube Short?
A YouTube Short can be up to 3 minutes (180 seconds) long.
Is there a minimum length for a YouTube Short?
YouTube hasn't published a separate minimum length for Shorts — any square or vertical video up to 3 minutes qualifies for Shorts placement.
Why did my Short get blocked over a copyright claim?
A Short longer than 60 seconds with an active copyright claim is blocked worldwide and ineligible for monetization, regardless of the type of claim. Keeping licensed-music Shorts under 60 seconds avoids this entirely.
Can I use any song in a 3-minute Short?
Most licensed songs are cleared for up to 90 seconds within a 3-minute Short, but some tracks are restricted by the rights holder to 60 or 30 seconds instead.
What's the ideal YouTube Shorts length for engagement?
Most creators see the best completion rate in the 15-60 second range, well inside the 3-minute maximum.
Is this YouTube Shorts length checker free to use?
Yes — it's completely free, requires no signup, and the clip-count calculator runs entirely in your browser.