YouTube Recommended Video Resolutions For Quality And Search Optimization
Oct 15, 2014Web and InternetComments (12)
YouTube will accept and properly handle most resolutions and formats, but if you want the best quality, sharpest picture, and no cropping, be sure to create your video in one of these resolutions:

ResolutionName
3840x21602160p
2560x14401440p
1920x10801080p
1280x720720p
854x480480p
640x360360p
426x240240p

YouTube will create the lower-resolution versions of your video automatically, so always upload the highest resolution that you can.

All of these resolutions are in the aspect ratio 16:9 widescreen. Do not record or create vertical, square, 4:3, or 16:10 video, as it will have black bars on the sides when uploaded to YouTube.

Search Optimization


You should always create video in 720p or higher. Doing so will give your videos a small HD badge in search results. Users can also filter YouTube searches to only show HD videos.

I recommend only creating content in 1080p or higher. Many phones and most TV/monitor displays have a 1080p native resolution, which will allow your video to play without downsizing.
Comments (12)
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DiamondOof yt   Jul 13, 2020
I mean It helps....
TonyA   Nov 12, 2019
That's terrible advice to only upload 16:9. Most of the videos I watch were made in 4:3 and I hate seeing people fattened up or cropped by some fool who thinks he knows better than the director. It's not just YouTubers. MGM cinemascoped its most famous film Gone With The Wind. Why are some people so hysterical about black bars anyway? Besides, it depends on the browser. Chrome will show black bars. Firefox will set the screen to 4:3 when necessary. If you (as a viewer) want to correct the aspect ratio on YouTube, stream the video with VLC. Press A to step through the available aspect ratios. You can add more if you want. Finally, people can upload always at 16:9 and pad other videos with bars (in the video data) left and right for 4:3, or top and bottom for cinemascope. Another VLC trick.
Rubygogirl10   Nov 06, 2019
This is useless of what I'm researching
Sludger   Oct 08, 2019
Thanks for this information! It is very useful and it cleared up some confusion of mine.
Mirror wonder flat   Jun 22, 2019
240p many times no work but 360p working all times plz help our 240p... 3gp
Cactus   May 23, 2018
it still has back bars when i use the aspect ratio 16:9
Nef | yt   Mar 09, 2018
what bit rate should i use? like i use 1920x1080 24p for videos but program also offers 30p but on youtube that makes the video choppy asf
Your Father   Feb 25, 2018
Its not working
Rafi   Feb 21, 2018
Thanks. Useful info.
www.justletmetravel.com   Feb 06, 2018
Thank You
RS   Jan 14, 2018
Thank you, helpful info.
Jun   Oct 23, 2017
Thank you! It's helpful.