How long can a YouTube video be?

YouTube says a default upload can be up to 15 minutes. A verified account can upload longer than 15 minutes. The maximum is 12 hours or 256 GB, whichever is less. 15:00 fits the default. 15:01 needs verification. 12:00:00 is the longest published length. This page checks a length and an optional file size. It does not upload a video, and the length does not predict views.

Check an upload length

YouTube's published upload limits

These limits are from YouTube Help, Upload videos longer than 15 minutes, as read on 3 November 2026. By default, you can upload videos that are up to 15 minutes long. Verified accounts can upload videos longer than 15 minutes. The maximum file size is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less. YouTube says the limits have changed before, so older videos can be longer than 12 hours. A file greater than 20 GB needs an up-to-date browser. Verify your YouTube account, read the same day, says phone verification is what unlocks videos longer than 15 minutes. This page does not send a verification code.

Upload	What YouTube prints
15:00	Fits the default length.
15:01	Longer than 15 minutes. A verified account can upload it.
12:00:00	The published maximum length.
12:00:01	Longer than 12 hours.
256 GB	The published maximum file size.
Over 256 GB	Over the maximum, even when the video is short.

A YouTube Short is a different rule in the Shorts length checker. A file-size estimate from bitrate is in the file size calculator. Meeting these limits does not place a video in recommendations.

Questions about YouTube video length

How long can a YouTube video be?

Up to 15 minutes by default. A verified account can upload longer than 15 minutes. The maximum is 12 hours or 256 GB, whichever is less.

Does exactly 15 minutes fit?

Yes. 15:00 fits the default upload length. 15:01 is longer than 15 minutes and needs a verified account.

Does exactly 12 hours fit?

Yes. 12:00:00 is the published maximum length. 12:00:01 is longer than 12 hours. A file larger than 256 GB is also over the maximum.

Is a YouTube Short the same as this limit?

No. A Short is a separate rule: up to 3 minutes, and square or vertical. This page checks a regular upload.

Is this YouTube length checker free?

Yes. It runs in your browser. There is no account and no charge. The length does not predict views, and this page does not verify an account.

Vlozy makes the video and can publish it to the YouTube account you connect. This page only checks the published upload limits. See what Vlozy does.