Rules checked · 2026-09-16
YouTube Shorts aspect ratio, three-minute rule and file formats
Shorts is a YouTube category, not a special file extension. Aspect ratio and duration affect classification; MP4, MOV and WebM describe file formats.
1280 × 720
720 × 1280
Rules checked on September 16, 2026: standard-channel uploads from October 15, 2024 are Shorts when square or vertical and no longer than three minutes. Official Artist Channels use December 8, 2025 as their corresponding date. Older uploads need their upload date considered too.
A 120-second 1080×1080 file is square. A 180-second 720×1280 file is portrait within three minutes. Both meet those shape and duration conditions. A 120-second 1280×720 file is landscape; a 181-second portrait file exceeds the duration condition.
9:16 is a useful portrait preset, not the only eligible ratio. 1080×1920 is not compulsory. Choose dimensions suited to the source and device. YouTube accepts MP4, MOV and WebM, among others; a browser converter's actual decoding and encoding support is a separate question.
Before uploading, inspect the downloaded file's actual dimensions and duration instead of trusting its preset name. Replay it with sound, keep the original and check classification and restrictions in YouTube Studio. Resizing does not remove copyright claims. Content ID handling for longer Shorts is changing; consult the current official policy when uploading.
Will renaming a file to .mp4 make it a Short?
No. Renaming neither reframes nor re-encodes it and may confuse players. Use a real export and inspect the result.
How can I keep a short upload as an ordinary video?
YouTube recommends a wider ratio such as 16:9. Export a genuine landscape frame; writing 'ordinary video' in its name does not change classification.