YouTube Shorts Size and Length: 8 Checks Before Upload + Free YouTube Shorts Upload Checklist (Word)
YouTube Shorts no longer means “always under 60 seconds.” YouTube states that square or vertical videos up to three minutes, uploaded on or after , are categorised as Shorts; a different effective date applies to some Official Artist Channels. A three-minute allowance is not a creative target.
Build a 9:16 master—commonly 1080×1920—then choose 15 seconds, 30–45 seconds or 60–180 seconds by job. Confirm classification, music eligibility and interface overlays in the actual channel and upload route.
One-minute specification table
Area | Brand working baseline | Verify before upload |
|---|---|---|
Frame | 9:16 vertical; 1080×1920 is a common canvas | Square or vertical up to three minutes may classify as Shorts; preview the real upload |
Length | 15 sec, 30–45 sec or 60–180 sec by objective | Do not stretch an idea because three minutes is allowed |
Opening | Communicate product, problem or result within one second | The subject remains clear without sound |
Subtitles | Human-reviewed and inside a central safe area | Names, prices, Cantonese and mixed language |
Music | Commercial rights and channel eligibility are clear | A Short over one minute with an active Content ID claim may be blocked |
CTA | One primary action | Destination, description, pinned comment and tracking |
Choose length by job, not limit
15 seconds: one visual promise
Use it for one product benefit, offer or event teaser. Structure: problem or outcome, visual proof, next action.
30–45 seconds: demonstration or comparison
Use it for a product demonstration, before-and-after, three steps or one FAQ. Show the outcome in the first two seconds.
60–180 seconds: story or deeper explanation
Use it for process stories, interview extracts, tutorials or complex products. Introduce a new visual, question or proof every 15–25 seconds.
Eight pre-upload checks
01｜Shorts classification
Confirm square or vertical format, no more than three minutes, and any channel-specific rule.
02｜Safe area
Keep product, faces, price, subtitles and CTA away from interface overlays. Preview on a phone.
03｜Reason to continue in two seconds
Remove logo intros and greetings. Lead with an outcome, tension, problem or unusual image.
04｜Accurate, readable subtitles
Keep lines short and timed. Human-check Cantonese, English names, terminology, money and dates.
05｜Music and footage rights
Distinguish YouTube music, licensed tracks, creator rights and owned footage. YouTube says one-to-three-minute Shorts with an active Content ID claim may be blocked.
06｜Works on a phone, with and without sound
Check ordinary phone speakers, muted playback, text size and visual detail.
07｜One CTA
Choose one action: watch, visit, enquire or subscribe. Confirm destination, description, pinned comment and UTM.
08｜Measurement is set before publishing
Track reach, views, average view duration or retention, engagement, clicks and qualified enquiries.
Turn one long video into three Shorts
A restaurant has a 90-second dish introduction. Version A is a 15-second hero shot plus reservation CTA; version B is a 35-second ingredients-to-table sequence; version C is a 75-second chef explanation. They share footage but use different openings, rhythm, subtitles and CTA.
Planning budget and timing
Allua planning ranges in Hong Kong, not YouTube charges: HK$4,000–10,000 to edit one Short from existing assets; HK$10,000–25,000 for three versions from a longer video; HK$20,000–50,000 where new filming, animation, bilingual subtitles and multiple approval rounds are required. Allow roughly three to ten working days.
Scope selects, restructuring, edit, subtitles, sound, cover, music rights, upload copy, revisions and source files separately.
Free resource: YouTube Shorts Upload Checklist
Check format, captions and upload preparation against eight acceptance criteria. Get an editable Word version to adapt and reuse for your team.
Enter your email, choose how you’ll use the kit and confirm your consent to receive it by email.
Copy these lines into every video task. Add Pass / Fix / Not applicable, evidence and owner. Do not publish if checks 1, 4, 5 or 7 fail.
Classification: orientation, duration and channel rule confirmed.
Safe area: products, faces, price, subtitles and CTA avoid overlays.
Opening: the first promise is clear without sound.
Subtitles: terminology, amounts and dates are human-checked.
Rights: music, footage, likeness and brand assets have usage records.
Phone test: understandable with sound and muted; type and volume pass.
CTA: one action, destination and UTM verified.
Measurement: metrics, review date and owner defined.
Worked example
“35-second new dish process”: check 1 passes (9:16, 35 seconds); check 4 needs a correction (English dish name unapproved); check 5 passes (owned footage and licensed commercial music); check 7 passes (reservation page with campaign UTM). Do not publish until the dish name is approved.
Frequently asked questions
Must a Short be 9:16?
Official classification covers square or vertical videos. A 9:16 master normally uses the full screen most effectively, but preview the real interface.
Is three minutes better than 60 seconds?
No. Match length to the job. Useful watch time and the next action matter more than filling the limit.
Can we reuse a Reel?
Yes as a source, but recheck subtitle position, music rights, title, description and CTA for YouTube.
What should a brand check first after publishing?
Start with early retention and average view duration, then connect them to CTA clicks and qualified enquiries.
Turn one long video into three testable Shorts
Share the source video, brand objective, audience, languages, CTA and launch date. Allua can restructure three durations with subtitles, covers, safe-area and upload specifications. Contact Allua
Information checked: 2026-10-13. YouTube classification, music rules and interface change; confirm official guidance and the real upload preview. Budgets are Allua planning recommendations.
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