YouTube Shorts is a way for anyone to turn an idea into a chance to connect with new audiences anywhere in the world. All you need is a smartphone and the Shorts camera built right in the YouTube app to create Shorts up to 60 seconds long. The latest Shorts creation tools make it fast, fun, and easy to be a creator on YouTube.
Note: You can customize your channel’s layout, branding, and basic info for your audience to explore.
Create a Short
Creating a Short with YouTube’s short-form video creation tools allows you to record one or more clips that add up to 60 seconds. While recording with the Shorts camera, use the progress bar at the top of your screen to see how many segments you’ve recorded, and the length of each.
To create a short video on YouTube:
- Sign in to the YouTube app.
- Under the video, click Create
and select Edit into a Short to open the clip in the Shorts creation experience. Note: Some clips may be restricted from being turned into a Short if the source video is restricted.
- To make your Short longer than 15 seconds, tap 15 s in the upper-right corner to record up to 60 seconds (60).
- To record a clip, hold Capture
or tap it to start recording and then again to stop.
- Tap Undo
to remove the previous video clip you recorded or tap Redo
to add it back.
- Tap Close
choose to Start over or to Save as draft and exit the camera.
- Tap Done
to preview and enhance your video.
- Tap Back
to return to the record screen. You can also tap Back
- Tap NEXT to add details to your video. From this screen, add a title (max 100 characters), and choose settings, like video privacy.
Note: The default video privacy setting for creators aged 13–17 is private. If you’re 18 or older, your default video privacy setting is set to public. Everyone can change this setting to make their video public, private, or unlisted. - Tap Select audience
- Tap UPLOAD SHORT to publish your Short.
and select Edit into a Short to open the clip in the Shorts creation experience. Note: Some clips may be restricted from being turned into a Short if the source video is restricted.
or tap it to start recording and then again to stop.
to remove the previous video clip you recorded or tap Redo 
to add it back.
to return to the record screen. You can also tap Back Select a thumbnail
You can choose a frame from your Short to be used as the thumbnail before you upload your video. You can’t choose a thumbnail after you’ve uploaded your Short yet, including uploading a custom thumbnail on Studio from your computer.
Here’s how to select a thumbnail for your Short:
- Record or import a video with the Shorts camera
- Navigate to the final upload screen
on the thumbnail of your video.
- Make your selection
on the thumbnail of your video.Enhance your Shorts while recording
Add music or other audioAccompany your Shorts with a song or other audio clip. The music and sounds found in our library are free of charge to use, but only for personal, non-commercial use, unless you have the appropriate licenses.
To find our Audio Library when you’re ready to record, tap Add sound
Tap Speed to speed up or slow down recording.
Tap Timer to set the countdown to record hands-free and choose when to automatically stop recording.
Tap Filters to pick from a selection of creative and contrasting filters that let you change the vibe of your Short. You can add different filters to each segment as you record. You can also apply a filter in the editing screen later.
Tap Effects to choose from a selection of compelling effects to help enhance your Short. Explore new concepts, change your appearance, or use an AI effect for a surprising transformation.
How to GREEN SCREEN yourself into any Photo or Video from your Camera Roll
While in the record screen, tap Green screen to use a photo or video from your device’s gallery as a background in your Short.
Hit the perfect transition with the Shorts Align tool
Tap Align to line up your next clip using a transparent overlay of the last frame you captured.
Import segments
How to quickly make Shorts with videos & photos from your camera roll
While in the record screen, tap the gallery button in the lower-left corner to import clips into your Short or select a longer video to trim to 60 seconds or less.
Navigating the import experience is easy:
- For videos over 60 seconds, use the slider to quickly jump to the desired moment in your video.
- Tap and drag the handles on the video filmstrip to choose where the video starts and ends.
- Tap the duration (15 seconds or 60 seconds) in the upper-right corner to change the length of your Short.
Add stickers, sound & text after you record
Add soundTo add a song or other sound bite after you record, tap Sound
Use Volume to adjust audio levels across music, your original video’s audio, and voiceover.
Tap Text to put text on your video after you record. Place multiple messages over your video and change the color, style, and alignment on the screen.
You can also use Timeline for even more control.
Add Q&A sticker
type the question that you’d like to ask your viewers. You can change the color, size, and placement of the sticker.Record voiceover
Use the voiceover feature to narrate what happens in your video.
Here’s how to get started:
- Tap Voiceover
at the bottom of the editing screen to open the voiceover editor.
- Move the playhead left or right to the spot you want to start your voiceover.
- Hold the red record button or tap it to start recording and then again to stop.
- Tap Undo
Tap Timeline to edit when text is shown in your Short.
Drag the start and stop points of a text clip to control when text shows in your Short and when it disappears. Use this feature to trigger different messages at different times in your video.
To reorder text clips, tap and hold them. Move clips from top to bottom to control the front to back order your text is shown.