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YouTube Shorts Checklist: length, shape, music and links

Check your video counts as a Short, see the music, claim and link rules, and tick through each step.

  • Free to use
  • Runs in your browser
  • No sign-up

How to use the YouTube Shorts Checklist

Read what the guide says

This is the YouTube Shorts Checklist.

Check your video counts as a Short, see the music, claim and link rules,

and tick through each step.

Enter the length, choose the shape or type the pixel size,

and tick what the Short uses. Or click "Try an example".

Or press Try an example to fill in sample details.

Read the checks: anything that stops it being a Short is listed first, then music,

claims and links.

Tick through the checklist as you publish,

and copy it or start again for the next Short.

It runs in your browser, so nothing you type is uploaded.

Try it free on this page.

Runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

Minutes and seconds (0:45 or 2:30), or seconds (45).

Shape

Or the pixel size (optional)

If you enter both, they are used instead of the shape above.

What the Short uses

Shorts checklist

0 of 0 done

Your ticks stay in this browser, so you can come back to them.

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About the YouTube Shorts Checklist

Enter your Short's length and shape, or its pixel size, and tick what it uses: music from the Shorts audio library, other music, clips you did not film, a business promotion or a link you want viewers to open. The checker tells you whether it counts as a Short and warns about music limits, copyright claims on Shorts over 1 minute and links that cannot be clicked, with tips for the related video link, the thumbnail frame and remixing. A checklist for before and after you publish keeps your ticks in this browser. It runs in your browser and never signs in to YouTube.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Enter the length, choose the shape or type the pixel size, and tick what the Short uses. Or click "Try an example".

  2. Step 2

    Read the checks: anything that stops it being a Short is listed first, then music, claims and links.

  3. Step 3

    Tick through the checklist as you publish, and copy it or start again for the next Short.

What counts as a Short

For uploads from 15 October 2024, square or vertical videos up to 3 minutes long count as Shorts. A horizontal 16:9 video stays a regular video, whatever its length, and a video over 3 minutes is a regular video too.

Music, claims and links

Most songs in the Shorts audio library can be used for up to 90 seconds in a Short, and some only for 60 or 30 seconds. Shorts over 1 minute with an active copyright claim used to be blocked worldwide; from 24 September 2026, new ones are no longer blocked automatically and may stay playable. Links in Shorts descriptions and comments cannot be clicked. Instead you can add a related video link, which needs advanced features, and your channel can show up to 14 links.

What this tool cannot do

It cannot see your video or your channel: it works only on what you enter, and it does not sign in to YouTube. It cannot tell whether a song or clip will get a copyright claim, or how many seconds a library track will cover; the YouTube app shows that when you pick the track. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a YouTube Short be?

Up to 3 minutes, in a square or vertical shape, for Shorts uploaded from 15 October 2024. A longer video, or a horizontal one, is uploaded as a regular video. Enter your video's length and shape in the checker to see which it is.

Are links in YouTube Shorts clickable?

No. To reduce spam and scams, links in Shorts descriptions and comments cannot be clicked. You can link one of your own videos as the related video, which shows as a clickable link below your channel handle and needs advanced features, and add your website to your channel's links.

What happens if my Short over 1 minute gets a copyright claim?

Until 24 September 2026, Shorts over 1 minute with an active copyright claim were blocked worldwide. From that date, new Shorts over 1 minute with a claim are no longer blocked automatically and may stay playable, but the claim still applies. You can remove the claimed music or clips, or dispute the claim if you think it is a mistake.

How long can I use a song from the Shorts audio library?

Most songs can be used for up to 90 seconds in a Short of up to 3 minutes, and some tracks only for 60 or 30 seconds. When you pick a track in the YouTube app, it shows how many seconds the music will cover. For a business Short, YouTube says some music partners limit Shorts music to personal, non-commercial use.

How do I stop others remixing my Shorts?

Shorts are open to remixing automatically. To turn it off, open YouTube Studio, choose Content, click the Short, choose Show more and change the Shorts remixing setting. You can also change it for several videos at once, or when you upload.

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