Upload a Short directly from your computer using YouTube Studio

To upload a Short on your PC, go to youtube.com, sign in to your account, and click the camera icon with a plus sign in the top right corner. Select Upload a short from the menu. Your browser will open a file picker where you can choose a video file from your computer. The video must be between 15 seconds and 60 seconds long and in a vertical format (9:16 aspect ratio works best, though YouTube will accept other vertical formats). Once you select the file, YouTube will begin uploading and processing it.

While your Short uploads, you can add a title, description, and visibility settings. The title appears at the top of your Short and can be up to 100 characters. Keep it short and clear so viewers see the full text without scrolling. The description can include hashtags, links, and details about the content—this is optional but helps viewers understand what they are watching.

Before publishing, choose whether the Short is Public (anyone can find and watch it), Unlisted (only people with the link can watch it), or Private (only you can watch it). Once you are satisfied with the title and settings, click Publish. YouTube will process the video, which usually takes a few minutes, and then your Short will be live on your channel.

Key Takeaways

  • Upload a Short by clicking the camera icon on YouTube.com, selecting Upload a short, and choosing a vertical video file between 15 and 60 seconds long.
  • Your video must be in a vertical format (9:16 aspect ratio is ideal) or YouTube will reject it during upload.
  • Add a title and description before publishing, and choose whether the Short is public, unlisted, or private.
  • Processing usually takes a few minutes after you click Publish, and your Short will then appear on your channel and in the Shorts feed.
  • You can edit the title, description, and visibility settings after publishing by going to YouTube Studio and selecting the Short from your uploads.

Prepare your video file before uploading

Before you start the upload, make sure your video meets YouTube's requirements. The file must be between 15 and 60 seconds long—if it is shorter or longer, YouTube will reject it. You can check the length by right-clicking the file on your computer, selecting Properties (on Windows) or Get Info (on Mac), and looking at the duration.

The video should be in a vertical format, meaning it is taller than it is wide. The ideal aspect ratio is 9:16 (the shape of a phone held upright). If your video is horizontal or square, YouTube may crop it or reject it. Common file formats that work include MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV. If you are unsure whether your file will work, upload it and YouTube will tell you if there is a problem before the file finishes processing.

If your video is too long, you can trim it using free tools on your PC. Windows includes the Photos app, which has a built-in trim feature—open the video in Photos, click Edit, then Trim, and drag the handles to shorten the video. On Mac, you can use QuickTime Player to trim video by opening the file, clicking Edit, and selecting Trim. After trimming, save the file and then upload it to YouTube.

Use YouTube Studio for more control over your Short

For more detailed control, use YouTube Studio instead of the quick upload menu. Go to studio.youtube.com, sign in, and click Create in the left sidebar. Select Upload a short. This route gives you access to more settings before publishing, including the ability to add chapters, set a custom thumbnail, and choose monetization options if your channel is may be able to access.

In YouTube Studio, you can also see a preview of how your Short will look on different devices before you publish. After uploading the file, scroll down to see all available options. You can add tags (single words or short phrases that help YouTube understand your content), select a category, and turn on or off comments and likes. These settings help you control how viewers interact with your Short.

If you want to schedule your Short to publish at a specific time rather than right away, click Schedule instead of Publish and choose the date and time. This is useful if you want to post when your audience is most active. You can see when your audience is typically online by checking the Analytics tab in YouTube Studio.

Troubleshoot common upload problems

If your upload fails or gets stuck, the most common cause is that your video does not meet the length or format requirements. Check that your file is between 15 and 60 seconds and in a vertical format. If it is, try uploading again—sometimes a temporary connection issue causes the upload to fail the first time.

If YouTube says your file format is not supported, convert it using a free tool like HandBrake or VLC Media Player

If your upload is very slow, check your internet connection speed. YouTube recommends at least 2.5 Mbps upload speed for smooth uploading. You can test your speed at speedtest.net. If your speed is lower, try uploading at a different time when fewer devices are using your network, or move closer to your router.

Add captions and text overlays to your Short

YouTube can automatically generate captions for your Short after you upload it. Once your Short is published, go to YouTube Studio, find your Short in the uploads list, and click on it. In the left sidebar, click Subtitles. YouTube will show auto-generated captions if your video has audio. You can review them, make corrections, and then publish them. Captions make your Short accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing and to viewers watching without sound.

If you want to add text overlays or graphics to your Short before uploading, you will need to edit the video on your PC first. Free editing tools like DaVinci Resolve and OpenShot let you add text, transitions, and effects. Open your video in the editor, add text or graphics where you want them, and export the finished video as an MP4 file. Then upload the edited file to YouTube.

Check your Short's performance after publishing

After your Short is live, you can track how it is performing by going to YouTube Studio and clicking Analytics. Select your Short from the list to see how many views, likes, and comments it has received. YouTube updates these numbers throughout the day, so check back regularly to see how your audience is responding.

Pay attention to which Shorts get the most views and engagement. If certain topics, lengths, or styles perform better, use that information to plan your next uploads. YouTube's algorithm favors Shorts that keep viewers watching until the end, so shorter videos and videos with strong hooks at the beginning tend to perform better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum file size I can upload?

YouTube accepts files up to 256 GB in size, but most Shorts are much smaller. A 60-second vertical video typically ranges from 50 MB to 500 MB depending on quality and format. If your file is larger than a few hundred MB, it may take longer to upload, but it will still work as long as it is under 256 GB.

Can I upload a Short that I filmed on my phone?

Yes. Transfer the video file from your phone to your PC using a USB cable, cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive, or email. Once the file is on your computer, follow the same upload steps. Make sure the file is in a supported format like MP4 or MOV before uploading.

Do I need to add music to my Short?

No, music is optional. You can upload a Short with just dialogue, ambient sound, or no audio at all. If you want to add music, YouTube Studio has a library of free music you can use. Go to the Audio Library tab in YouTube Studio, search for a song, and add it to your Short before publishing.

How long does it take for my Short to appear in the Shorts feed?

Your Short will be live on your channel when ready after publishing, but it may take a few hours to appear in the broader Shorts feed where other users can discover it. YouTube's system reviews new Shorts to make sure they follow community guidelines before promoting them widely.

Can I edit my Short after I publish it?

You can edit the title, description, and visibility settings after publishing by going to YouTube Studio, clicking on your Short, and selecting Details. However, you cannot change the video file itself once it is published. If you need to change the actual video content, you must delete the Short and upload a new version.