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YouTube specifications

Find current YouTube specifications for channels, thumbnails, videos, Shorts and ads. Compare dimensions, aspect ratios, file formats and source guidance.

9 specifications 7 official 2 recommended

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Showing 9 specifications

Video (HD)

Recommended
Dimensions1920×1080
Aspect ratio16:9
FormatVideo
File typeMP4, MOV, AVI, WebM and other supported video formats
File sizeUp to 256GB
SettingsMPEG-2 (Audio codec: MPEG Layer II or Dolby AC-3. Audio bitrate: 128 kbps or better), MPEG-4 (Video codec: H.264, Audio codec: AAC, Audio bitrate: 128 kbps or better)
Status Recommended canvas
Reviewed
Source Official guide
NotesRecommended 1080p 16:9 production canvas. Verified accounts can upload up to 256GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.

Video Thumbnail

Official
Dimensions3840×2160
Aspect ratio16:9
FormatImage
File typeJPG, GIF, PNG
File sizeMobile: 2MB; desktop: 50MB
Status Official specification
Reviewed
Source Official guide
NotesYouTube now recommends 3840×2160px with a minimum width of 640px and a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Skippable In‑Stream Ad

Official
Dimensions1920×1080
Aspect ratio16:9
FormatVideo
File type.MPG, .MP4, .MOV, .AVI
File sizeUp to 256GB
Status Official specification
Reviewed
Source Official guide
NotesHD recommended (≥1280×720, pref. 1920×1080); length any (best practice 12s+ to count as view); captions supported. Aspect ratio is 16:9, 1:1 or 9:16.

Non‑Skippable In‑Stream Ad

Official
Dimensions1920×1080
Aspect ratio16:9
FormatVideo
File type.MPG, .MP4, .MOV, .AVI
File sizeUp to 256 GB
Status Official specification
Reviewed
Source Official guide
Notes15-20s (TV up to 30s); HD recommended

Bumper Ad

Official
Dimensions1920×1080
Aspect ratio16:9
FormatVideo
File type.MPG, .MP4, .MOV, .AVI
File sizeUp to 256GB
Status Official specification
Reviewed
Source Official guide
Notes≤ 6s; non-skippable; HD recommended

In-Feed Video Ad

Recommended
Dimensions1080×1080
Aspect ratio1:1
FormatVideo
File type.MPG, .MP4, .MOV, .AVI
File sizeUp to 256GB
Status Recommended canvas
Reviewed
Source Official guide
NotesRecommended square option. Google also recommends 1920×1080 horizontal and 1080×1920 vertical assets for in-feed video ads.

YouTube Masthead Ad

Official
Dimensions1920×1080
Aspect ratio16:9
FormatVideo
File type.MPG, .MP4, .MOV, .AVI
File sizeUp to 256 GB
Status Official specification
Reviewed
Source Official guide
NotesAny length; reservation only; auto-plays muted (desktop: ≤30s preview; mobile full duration)

YouTube Cover

Official
Dimensions2560×1440
Aspect ratio16:9
FormatImage
File type.JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .PNG
File sizeUp to 6MB
Status Official specification
Reviewed
Source Official guide
NotesYouTube recommends 2560×1440px. Keep important content inside the published 1235×338px safe area.

YouTube Shorts Ad

Official
Dimensions1080×1920
Aspect ratio9:16
FormatVideo
File type.MPG, .MP4, .MOV, .AVI
File sizeUp to 256GB
Status Official specification
Reviewed
Source Official guide
Notes6s min; 10-60s recommended; users can swipe away