Entertainment is evolving at an insane pace, especially in the internet era, where short videos have taken centre stage. Platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are everywhere, and they're becoming a major part of how we consume content. In India, the popularity of these short-form videos has exploded, thanks in part to affordable internet access. A recent survey by Statista shows that short video platforms are on the rise across the country, with more and more people turning to these quick bursts of entertainment.

India holds the top spot in the list of leading countries based on YouTube audience size as of July 2024, with approximately 476 million users engaging with the popular social video platform, according to Statista. It is forecasted to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by a total of 222.2 million users. This means if you're looking to create content for YouTube Shorts, you're already sitting in one of the most engaged markets in the world. But creating awesome Shorts isn't just about having a great idea – you need to get the technical stuff right, too. That’s where understanding the proper aspect ratio and resolution comes into play. Your YouTube short video size is as much as important as your content. Sizing your videos according to YouTube's short video size ratio is key to ensuring they look sharp, professional, and ready to capture attention.

Let’s discover more about different aspect ratios on YouTube, why these dimensions matter, what YouTube short video size ratios are, and how you can ensure your YouTube Shorts are sized just right! 

Evaluation of Video Formats on YouTube

Before the rise of YouTube Shorts and other new formats, YouTube was primarily known for its standard horizontal videos. The platform initially focused on content that followed the 16:9 aspect ratio, the widescreen format commonly used for televisions and computer screens. This aspect ratio was ideal for traditional long-form content, such as vlogs, tutorials, music videos, and movies, allowing creators to tell stories in a cinematic way.

Changes in YouTube Video Formats

As mobile usage began skyrocketing, YouTube recognised that viewing habits were changing. More people were watching videos on their smartphones, and holding a phone horizontally wasn’t always the most convenient way to consume content. This led to the introduction of vertical video support, allowing creators to upload content in a 9:16 aspect ratio that’s better suited for mobile viewing.

Launching Youtube Shorts

At the same time, Instagram and Facebook were getting popular. The next major change came with the launch of YouTube Shorts, specifically designed to compete with platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. YouTube Shorts pushed the 9:16 vertical format even further, optimising the platform for short, snackable content. 

As YouTube evolved, it also allowed square videos (1:1 aspect ratio), which were popular on other social media platforms like Instagram. This format was included to provide more flexibility for creators who wanted to repurpose content across platforms. 

YouTube's video formats have adapted over time to meet the changing demands of viewers and creators. Each new format has introduced a shift in aspect ratio to better suit the way we watch and create content, giving creators more options to engage their audiences across different viewing experiences.

 So, let us find out more about different aspect ratios on YouTube and how effective they could be in optimisation.

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Ideal Aspect Ratio and Resolution for YouTube Shorts

When creating YouTube Shorts, nailing the aspect ratio and resolution is essential to ensure your content looks great and fits the platform's unique format. With most people watching Shorts on their phones, using the right dimensions will help deliver a seamless and engaging experience. By following the recommended guidelines, your Shorts will not only look professional but will also be optimised for mobile viewing, helping you attract and retain viewers.

Key Recommendations for YouTube Shorts:

• Aspect Ratio: 9:16

• The recommended aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts is 9:16, which creates a vertical video perfect for mobile viewing.
• This ratio matches the way people naturally hold their phones, making it the most convenient format for viewers.

• Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels

• YouTube suggests a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels for Shorts, which is full HD.
• This resolution ensures your videos are sharp and visually engaging, preventing any blurry or pixelated content.

• Mobile Viewing Optimisation

• The combination of a 9:16 aspect ratio and 1080x1920 resolution helps your content look its best across different devices.
• This ensures there are no awkward black bars or cropping issues, maintaining a clean visual experience.

• Centre Important Elements

• Keep the focus and key elements of your video centred in the frame.
• This prevents important parts from being cut off when viewed on various screen sizes or platforms.

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Now, definitely, there will be things in your mind that need clarification. YouTube has video forms other than short videos, which are more convenient to watch horizontally. So, which aspect ratio does YouTube prefer for conventional videos? And what are square YouTube videos? Let’s explore answers to all these concerns.

Square Format for YouTube Shorts

Now, what about square videos? Can they work as YouTube Shorts, too? Well, technically, yes – you can upload videos with a 1:1 aspect ratio, which means they’ll have dimensions of 1080x1080 pixels. These videos will still be classified as Shorts if they meet YouTube’s other requirements, but there’s a catch: they may not perform as well.

Benefits of Square Format

That said, square videos do have their place. They can be effective when cross-posting content from other platforms where the square format is more common, like Twitter, or Snapchat. However, if your goal is to create content specifically for YouTube Shorts and you want to maximise your reach and performance, sticking to the vertical format is the better choice.

Cons of Square Format

The problem with square videos is that they don't fully utilise the vertical space on mobile screens. Instead of filling the screen like a 9:16 video, square videos will leave black bars above and below the content. This might not seem like a big deal, but it can be distracting for viewers who are used to the immersive, full-screen experience that vertical videos provide. As a result, square videos often don’t capture the same level of engagement.

In the end, while square videos might work in certain situations, they simply don’t offer the same viewer experience or platform advantages as their vertical counterparts.

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Wider and Narrower Formats for YouTube Shorts

So, you might have watched a lot of long video content on YouTube. You might have noticed that the aspect ratio is different from 9:16. Let’s learn about wider and narrower formats for YouTube Shorts. 

More comprehensive formats like 16:9 or narrower formats like 4:5 aren't suited for Shorts.

Wider Format YouTube Videos

Let’s start with wider formats. Videos with a 16:9 aspect ratio work great for traditional YouTube content or even for horizontal viewing on bigger screens, like laptops or TVs. However, when you try to upload them as Shorts, they won’t be featured on the Shorts shelf properly. Instead, you’ll end up with large black bars on both sides of your video. This shrinks your content into a smaller, less engaging portion of the screen, making it less likely to hold viewers’ attention. Essentially, while 16:9 is fantastic for long-form content, it’s not optimised for Shorts, where vertical, full-screen viewing is the standard.

Narrower Format

 Narrower formats like 4:5 are a halfway solution. However, they also aren’t fully optimised for YouTube Shorts. Although the black bars may be smaller compared to wider formats, you still lose some of that seamless, full-screen impact that vertical videos offer. The result? Your video could still feel cramped or awkwardly cropped, which doesn’t do much to help it stand out in a sea of perfectly sized vertical content.

Whether it's wider or narrower formats, they both fall short—literally—when it comes to Shorts. If you want your content to really pop and engage with viewers in the way Shorts are designed to, it's best to stick with the recommended 9:16 vertical format. It's all about crafting a viewing experience that feels natural and immersive for people scrolling through the platform on their phones.

Things to Consider While Creating Professional YouTube Shorts

Now that we've covered the importance of dimensions and formats, let’s talk about the key things to be careful about when creating professional YouTube shorts. Remember a few essential details to ensure your content is polished and effective. From using the proper aspect ratio to leveraging the best tools available, every decision you make can impact how your audience views and receives your Shorts. Let’s dive into the practical tips to help you create Shorts that stand out and keep viewers engaged. Here are the main points to be careful about when creating professional YouTube Shorts:

• Use vertical videos: Always shoot in portrait mode (9:16 aspect ratio) to fit the Shorts format.
• Ensure the correct aspect ratio: Stick to the 9:16 ratio to avoid technical complications like cropping or black bars.
• Check resolution: Use 1080x1920 pixels for optimal video quality.
• Leverage your smartphone: Most smartphones are equipped to shoot high-quality videos in the right format.
• Consider studio-quality tools: Use additional equipment like better cameras, external microphones, and lighting to enhance production value.
• Edit professionally: Use software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut to fine-tune your video and add creative elements.
• Focus on mobile optimisation: Make sure the video fits well on mobile screens, ensuring an immersive full-screen experience.

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These tips will help ensure your YouTube Shorts are engaging, professional, and ready to grab attention.

Why Do YouTube Shorts Dimensions Matter?

So, why exactly do this YouTube short video size and dimension matter? Well, it all comes down to optimising your content for the way people actually watch it. With the majority of YouTube Shorts being viewed on smartphones, using the 9:16 aspect ratio aligns perfectly with the natural portrait mode of most devices. 

• Mobile Optimisation: The 9:16 aspect ratio aligns perfectly with the vertical, portrait mode of smartphones, offering a seamless full-screen experience for mobile viewers, which is where most YouTube Shorts are consumed.
• YouTube Algorithm Preference: YouTube’s algorithm favours content that is optimised for its platform. Using the correct 9:16 aspect ratio increases your chances of being featured on the Shorts shelf, giving your video better visibility and engagement.
• Full-Screen Engagement: Properly sized vertical videos eliminate distractions like black bars, allowing your content to fully occupy the screen and provide a more immersive viewing experience. This helps capture and retain viewer attention more effectively.
• Avoiding Cropping Issues: Sticking to the recommended aspect ratio prevents your video from being awkwardly cropped or distorted when displayed across different devices or on the Shorts feed. This ensures your content looks professional regardless of where it’s viewed.
• Platform-Specific Design: YouTube Shorts are designed specifically for vertical videos. If you use wider or narrower formats, your video may not display as intended, potentially reducing its impact and overall performance on the platform.
• Increased Discoverability: By optimising your content for the 9:16 format, you make it easier for YouTube to categorise your video as Short, boosting your chances of being surfaced in relevant searches, recommendations, and trending sections.
• Consistency Across Platforms: Using the right dimensions not only helps on YouTube but also ensures that your videos can be easily shared and repurposed for other platforms like Instagram Reels, Facebook, and Snapchat, which also favour vertical content.
• Improved Viewer Retention: Videos that fill the screen tend to be more visually engaging, which can lead to better viewer retention and increased watch time—two key factors in the performance and ranking of your content on YouTube.

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Now, let’s see how you can create and upload YouTube Shorts without any hassle!

Steps to Create and Upload YouTube Shorts

Once you’ve got the essentials down for creating professional YouTube Shorts, it’s time to get into the step-by-step process of bringing your video to life and uploading it to the platform. Whether you’re shooting directly on your phone or using more advanced tools, the process is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps to ensure your YouTube Shorts are ready to be seen by the world:

• Step 1: Plan Your Content

• Decide on the concept, script, or topic of your YouTube Short. Keep it concise, engaging, and suited for a short-form video format.

• Step 2: Shoot Your Video

• Record your video in vertical format (9:16 aspect ratio). You can use your phone or professional recording equipment, ensuring proper lighting and sound quality.

• Step 3: Edit Your Short

• You can use editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Filmora, or mobile apps to trim, add music, apply transitions, or include text and effects. Ensure the final output is in 1080x1920 resolution.

• Step 4: Add Captions and Effects

• Adding captions can improve accessibility and engagement. Include any visual effects that enhance the content but avoid overloading the video.

• Step 5: Upload Your Short

• Open the YouTube app, tap the "+" icon, and select "Create a Short" if recording within the app, or upload your edited video. Ensure your video meets YouTube’s Shorts criteria (under 60 seconds, vertical format).

• Step 6: Optimise Title, Description, and Tags

• Add a catchy title, relevant description, and hashtags to improve discoverability. Keep titles short and engaging, and make sure to use relevant keywords.

• Step 7: Publish and Promote

• After uploading, hit "Publish." Share your Short across social media platforms or with your community to gain initial traction and views.

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Benefits and Optimisation of YouTube Short

Creating YouTube Shorts can offer a range of benefits for your channel, especially when optimised effectively. YouTube accounts for  25 percent of global mobile traffic. The entertainment value of YouTube Shorts is higher than ever. YouTube shorts are viewed approximately 70 billion times every day in 2024. This also makes YouTube a powerful marketing channel. If you have a YouTube channel with the potential to reach an audience, it is a future jackpot! 

So, to reap the benefits, you must optimise your YouTube videos appropriately.  YouTube actively promotes Shorts, offering creators a unique opportunity to get their content in front of a broader audience. This makes it easier for your video to reach a wider audience if it is optimised with right aspect ratio and length and added with catchy descriptions, titles, and hashtags. Because of the way Shorts are integrated into the platform, your video has the chance to be featured on the Shorts shelf or even go viral, leading to more subscribers, comments, and engagement on your channel.

Optimising Through Cross-Posting

Optimisation also extends beyond YouTube. When you create vertical videos for Shorts, you're setting yourself up to repurpose content for other social media platforms like Instagram Reels or TikTok. Since these platforms also use short, vertical videos as their primary format, your content can easily be shared across multiple platforms with minimal effort. This cross-posting can help you maximise your content’s reach, bringing in new followers from various social media channels while maintaining a consistent brand presence.

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Conclusion

As YouTube continues to evolve, so do the ways we create and consume content. The introduction of formats like YouTube Shorts reflects the platform’s shift towards more mobile-friendly, bite-sized videos, driven by changing viewer habits and the rise of short-form content across social media.

Understanding the importance of proper aspect ratios and resolutions, whether it’s the traditional 16:9 for long-form videos or the 9:16 vertical format for Shorts, is crucial for any creator looking to maximise their reach and engagement. By optimising your content for mobile devices, adhering to YouTube’s technical recommendations, and utilising the right tools, you can ensure that your videos not only look professional but also perform well on the platform. As the digital landscape continues to shift, staying ahead by adapting to new formats and leveraging the power of vertical video will be key to success in today’s fast-paced, mobile-first world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the ideal dimensions for a YouTube channel logo?

YouTube recommends using a square image with dimensions of 800x800 pixels for your channel logo. Ensure it is in a high-resolution format, such as PNG or JPEG.

2. What are the recommended dimensions for a YouTube channel banner?

The optimal dimensions for a YouTube banner are 2560x1440 pixels, with a "safe area" of 1546x423 pixels to ensure that your important content is displayed correctly across all devices.

3. What tools can I use to design a YouTube logo and banner?

You can use tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or free alternatives like Canva and Fotor to design your logo and banner. These tools offer templates and easy editing options tailored for YouTube.

4. What should I include in my YouTube channel description?

Your description should clearly explain what your channel is about, what type of content you produce, and why viewers should subscribe. Use relevant keywords to help your channel appear in searches.