What Is the Best Aspect Ratio for YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts are not your regular YouTube videos. The Shorts has a special layout and format. So, if you want to maximize it and gain the attention of its over 1.5 billion monthly viewers, you need to use the right dimensions.

Although there are many dimensions you could use for your video content, the best aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts is 9:16. In this post, we’ll show you how to achieve this aspect ratio, and if you’re a newbie, you’ll find everything you need to know about YouTube Shorts.

What Is Aspect Ratio and Why Does It Matter?

Aspect ratio refers to the relationship between the width and height of a video. It’s represented by two numbers separated by a colon, like 1:1, 4:3, or 16:9.

The first number represents the width, and the second represents the height. The most common vertical aspect ratio used on social media platforms, including YouTube Shorts, is 9:16.

YouTube Shorts are vertical videos, making them perfect for mobile viewing. This is why they take up the whole screen on a mobile phone.

Since most people watch YouTube Shorts on their mobile devices, using the perfect dimensions that can fit on a typical phone screen is crucial.

Some parts of your video might get cut off if it's too wide or too narrow. This will lead to a poor experience for your viewers and may discourage them from watching your Shorts.

Choosing the right aspect ratio for your YouTube Shorts doesn’t just make your video look good; it also makes the video uploading process smooth. Have you ever tried uploading a video only to face weird glitches or missing parts of your video? That's sometimes due to using the wrong dimensions.

How to Achieve the Best Aspect Ratio for YouTube Shorts

Here are the two simplest ways to achieve the best aspect ratio for your YouTube Shorts.

Record With Your Mobile Phone

When making videos for YouTube Shorts, the easiest way to get the right aspect ratio is to record vertically using your mobile phone. Simply flip your phone upright, start recording, and you'll be right on track. It's super convenient and gives you the perfect vertical video.

Resize Your Videos

If you must record your video with another device other than a mobile phone, you may end up with a wider video, like the standard 16:9 ratio. However, you don't have to worry. You can still use it for YouTube Shorts with some editing.

You can crop or rotate your video to fit the 9:16 aspect ratio with the right video editing software. This means you can also repurpose your existing video content for YouTube Shorts without breaking a sweat.

Always Choose Vertical Videos

YouTube might allow square videos (1:1 ratio) as Shorts, but they aren't the best choice. Vertical videos with a 9:16 aspect ratio are the real winners for YouTube Shorts.

If you're thinking square, Shorts might not be your best bet. You're better off sharing square videos on Facebook or regular YouTube uploads.

Everything You Need to Know About YouTube Shorts 

YouTube Shorts are like the bite-sized videos on Instagram reels and TikTok. And as a creator, YouTube Shorts is one more platform to engage your audience with brief, fun, and engaging videos.

These videos cannot be more than 60 seconds, making them perfect for quick entertainment. It's YouTube's way of keeping up with the trend of short, vertical videos that people love on other platforms.

Creating YouTube Shorts allows you to add variety to your video content, giving your viewers something different from regular long-form videos.

It's a win-win – viewers get bite-sized content, and you get to showcase your creativity in a new way.

Tips for Creating YouTube Shorts 

If you haven’t started creating YouTube Shorts, here are all the details you need. 

1. Get Subscribers

When you start to create YouTube Shorts, you’ll need views. And the best way to sustain your views is by getting people to subscribe to your YouTube channel.

2. Use the Appropriate Duration

YouTube Shorts can be up to 60 seconds long. You can either create a single minute-long video or a creative compilation of 15-second video clips. The magic happens in these quick moments, so keep it concise and captivating.

3. Use a Soundtrack

You'll need some music to spice up your videos. But you don't have to sweat it to choose the right music.

YouTube has a library full of music waiting for you. Or, if you prefer, you can use snippets from other videos. Just remember, keep the borrowed audio under 60 seconds.

4. Apply for Revenue-Sharing Opportunity

If you can get up to 1,000 subscribers and score 10 million views on your Shorts within 90 days, you can apply for YouTube’s revenue-sharing program.

Get the Best Aspect Ratio for YouTube Shorts With Hipclip AI

With Hipclip AI, you can resize your videos and adapt them effortlessly to different platforms, and YouTube Shorts is no exception. This allows you to focus on your creativity and empowers you to maximize the impact of your video content and connect with audiences in a more versatile and engaging way.

Sign up now and save time on lengthy video editing processes!

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