How to Make a YouTube Short In 2026: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Learning how to upload Shorts on YouTube is one of the fastest ways to reach new viewers. Shorts performance has nothing to do with your subscriber count, which means if your content is captivating enough, your chances of going viral are exponentially higher. This makes Shorts an ideal way for new creators to get discovered, but many stumble on the basics before they even hit publish.

This guide covers everything you need to know about how to create YouTube Shorts, including format requirements, upload workflows, and optimization strategies.

Check out this video for a 3 minute overview on how to make YouTube Shorts.

YouTube Shorts Upload Requirements

Before you learn how to upload Shorts on YouTube, you need to understand what makes a video qualify as a Short.

A YouTube Short is a vertical video designed for the Shorts feed. These videos also appear on your channel page, in search results, and in suggested videos across YouTube.

The advantage: Shorts let you test ideas faster. You get more attempts to find what resonates with your audience than you would with long-form content alone.

Technical Requirements

Your video must meet these YouTube Shorts upload requirements to qualify:

• Length: Up to 3 minutes (videos uploaded after October 15, 2024)
• Aspect ratio: Square (1:1) or vertical (9:16 is ideal)

If your video is horizontal (16:9), YouTube will categorize it as a regular video regardless of length.

How to Upload Shorts on YouTube from Desktop

Desktop upload works best when you've already edited your Short in another application like CapCut, Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.

Step-by-step:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio
2. Click Create (top right) → Upload videos
3. Select your file (verify it's square or vertical, 3 minutes or less)
4. Add your title, description, and audience settings
5. Choose visibility (Public, Unlisted, or Private)
6. Publish immediately or schedule for later

YouTube Studio handles Shorts uploads the same way as regular videos. The platform automatically detects that your video is a Short based on format and length.

How to Upload Shorts on YouTube from Mobile

The YouTube mobile app offers two paths: uploading pre-edited videos or creating Shorts directly in the app.

Uploading Pre-Edited Videos

1. Open the YouTube app
2. Tap the + button
3. Select Upload a video from your camera roll
4. Add text, music, or captions using YouTube's editing tools
5. Tap Next, enter your title and settings, then upload

How to Make a YouTube Short on Mobile

If you want to create YouTube Shorts directly in the app:

1. Open the YouTube App

Make sure the app is installed on your mobile device.

2. Tap the Plus Button

Select “Create a Short.”

3. Record Your Footage

• Use the red button at the bottom of the screen to start recording.
• A red meter at the top shows how much recording time you have left.
• You can toggle between 15-second and 3-minute recording durations using the button in the upper-right corner.

4. Starting and Stopping the Recorder

• Option 1: Tap the red button to start and stop recording.
• Option 2: Press and hold the record button, releasing it to finish.

You can record multiple scenes as long as their combined length is under 3 minutes. Scenes are marked by white bars on the video timeline. If you make a mistake, use the backward arrow in the bottom-left corner to delete a scene or the forward arrow in the bottom-right corner to re-add it.

How to Add Music to a YouTube Short

You can easily add popular music to your Shorts without worrying about copyright claims.

Use the search bar to find and browse music tracks. When you find the right track, tap it once to hear a preview.

Then tap the blue button with a black arrow to add the music to your Short. YouTube will take you back to the record screen.

Press the red button to start recording; the music will play as you film.

You can also add music after you record and adjust the music track to start at any point in the song you’d like.

How to Use the Advanced Creative Features

On the right side of the screen, you’ll find a bunch of helpful tools.

• Flip Function: Easily switch between your phone’s front-facing and back cameras with a single tap. This is perfect for capturing different perspectives while filming.
• Speed Control: Adjust the recording speed to create dynamic effects:
  • Slow things down to 0.3x for dramatic, slow-motion clips.
  • Speed up to 3x for fast-paced, energetic shots.
  • Note: While the 0.3x setting adds drama, it may appear slightly choppy, so experiment to achieve the desired effect.
• Timer: Use the timer feature to start recording hands-free. Set a countdown of 3, 10, or 20 seconds, giving you ample time to position yourself or your subject before filming begins.
• Effects: This will bring up a ton of options to add alterations to your face, background, and recording style.
• Green Screen: Replace your background seamlessly with any image or video.
• Filters: Enhance your video with Instagram-style filters to match the mood or theme of your content.
• Retouch: Smooths skin and removes blemishes.
• Lighting: Automatically adjust brightness levels to optimize your video when recording in low-light settings.
• Flash: Illuminate your subject using your phone’s back camera light for better visibility in dark environments.

Trim and Align: Fine-Tune Your Clips

After recording your first clip, you’ll gain access to two powerful editing tools: Trim and Align.

• Trim Tool: The Trim option allows you to precisely trim the beginning and end of your clips. By adjusting the white bars on the clip’s timeline, you can remove any unwanted portions, ensuring your video flows seamlessly.
• Align Tool: The Align feature helps you maintain consistency between clips. It displays a faint overlay, or "ghost image," of the last frame from your previous clip. This is especially useful for matching positions, aligning objects, or creating smooth transitions between shots.

How to Edit YouTube Shorts

Oftentimes, the difference between a Short that gets 500 views and one that gets 50,000 isn't fancy effects. It's strategic editing:

Cut ruthlessly. Remove the first 1-2 seconds if your video starts slow. No intros, no "hey guys," no "so today we're going to talk about..." Start with the hook.

Add text overlays. Put your hook and key points directly on screen. Many viewers watch with sound off, and on-screen text helps retention even when audio is on.

Use captions. If you're speaking, add subtitles. YouTube's auto-captions work, but editing them for accuracy improves watch time.

Trim dead air. Cut pauses between sentences and moments where nothing is happening. Pace matters more than production value.

Change visuals frequently. If your topic is simple, add cuts or visual changes every few seconds to maintain momentum.

Using the YouTube Shorts Editor

If you're working in the YouTube Shorts editor (the built-in mobile editing tool), keep edits simple and focus on pace over complexity. The Shorts editor is designed for quick adjustments like trimming clips, adding text overlays, and incorporating music, perfect for creators who need speed.

Optimizing Before You Publish

Too many creators upload Shorts the moment they finish editing. That's a mistake. The details you add before publishing like title, thumbnail, and description, determine whether your Short gets discovered outside the Shorts feed. Spend a few minutes on these elements before you hit publish.

Create a Strategic Title

The title is one of the most critical factors for grabbing attention and optimizing your Short for SEO.

• Keep it intriguing and relevant to your content.
• Aim for fewer than 40 characters to prevent it from being cut off in search results or on mobile devices.
  For example, “Mastering YouTube Shorts: Quick Tips” is both catchy and searchable.

How to Change Thumbnails on YouTube Shorts

Shorts thumbnails don't appear in the Shorts feed, but they do show up on your channel page, in search results, and in suggested videos.

Select a thumbnail frame in the YouTube mobile app while uploading or editing your Short. You can change the thumbnail after upload, but only through the mobile app, not from desktop.

Pro tip: Plan a "thumbnail moment" when filming. Create one clean frame with your subject clearly visible and space for readable text. This makes your thumbnail look intentional instead of random.

Set Privacy and Details

Before publishing, consider setting your video to Unlisted or Private to preview it and ensure everything looks good. Once you’re satisfied, you can switch it to Public for everyone to view.

Add Key Details and Settings

On the upload screen, you’ll find additional options to enhance and customize your Short:

• Video Location: Tag the location to make your content more discoverable.
• Audience Settings: Specify whether the content is made for kids to comply with COPPA regulations. Learn more here.
• Remix Permissions: Allow or restrict viewers from remixing your video into their content.
• Paid Promotions: Indicate if your video includes any paid sponsorships or advertisements.
• Altered Content Disclosure: Let viewers know if the video contains altered content, such as edited scenes or digitally modified environments.
• Comments Settings: Choose whether to allow or disable comments. Enabling comments encourages viewer interaction and boosts engagement.

How to Add a Description in YouTube Shorts

Descriptions help with search, context, and YouTube's understanding of your content.

On desktop: Add your description during the upload flow in YouTube Studio.

On mobile: Edit your Short's details after upload through the app.

Keep descriptions concise:

• One sentence that reinforces your topic
• 1-2 helpful links (optional)
• A simple call-to-action (optional)

How to Make YouTube Shorts from Existing Videos

This is the highest-leverage strategy for consistent Shorts creation and one of the smartest ways to create YouTube Shorts without burning out.

What to Look For

Choose moments from longer videos that have:

• A clear hook in the first 3 seconds
• One focused idea (not multiple concepts)
• A satisfying ending or payoff

Simple Workflow

1. Export the clip
2. Reformat to vertical (crop strategically, don't just add black bars)
3. Add captions and on-screen text
4. Remove everything non-essential
5. Upload as a Short

Weekly goal: Turn one long-form video into 3-5 Shorts by extracting the strongest moments. Each Short should stand alone, don't just chop up the original video sequentially.

vidIQ’s Clipping Tool makes finding the most clippable moments of your long videos easy.

Understanding How Viewers Watch Shorts

It's essential to understand how viewers will interact with your Shorts. As Shorts are mostly swipe-based, viewers will judge your content within 1-2 seconds. That's why to compete you need:

• A hook in the first second: Immediately grab attention.
• Visual clarity: Your subject should fill the frame. Don't make viewers squint.
• A clear value proposition: What do I get if I keep watching?

If you can hold attention for 10-15 seconds consistently, you're ahead of most beginners.

Monetization Requirements for YouTube Shorts

One burning question many creators have is whether they can make money from YouTube Shorts. The answer is yes, but there are some requirements:

• You need to have at least 1,000 subscribers and 10 million YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days to qualify for monetization from ad revenue.
• You don’t need to track watch hours, which is a huge advantage.
• Keep in mind that CPMs (cost per thousand views) are significantly lower for Shorts compared to long-form content.

In the end, you will need many views to make good money. Brand deals and sponsorships can also increase your income, though.

Read More: YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

Conclusion

Creating YouTube Shorts is an exciting way to engage with audiences while growing your channel. By following these steps, you can start making captivating Shorts that resonate with viewers. Don't forget to keep experimenting with different styles and content types to find what works best for you!

Now that you know the basics, you’re ready to learn how to increase your YouTube Shorts views!