How Long Can YouTube Shorts Be in 2025 (Updated Guide for Creators)

Quick Summary

YouTube Shorts can run up to 3 minutes long, which is triple the original 60-second limit. While this gives creators more room for storytelling, the sweet spot for engagement is still 15 – 60 seconds, since viewer completion rates drop sharply after the first minute. Knowing these limits and how length impacts performance is key to maximizing reach and monetization on Shorts.

The Real Struggle With YouTube Shorts Length

You’ve heard it before: keep your Shorts short. But that’s easier said than done. YouTube now allows up to 3 minutes, yet the algorithm still rewards videos that viewers finish.

Some creators stretch their Shorts too far and lose engagement, while others cut them too short and miss storytelling opportunities. So how long should your YouTube Shorts really be?

In this Klap article, we’ll break down the ideal limits for your YouTube Shorts, what they mean for creators, and how to find the sweet spot for retention and growth.

 But first…

Why Listen to Us

At Klap , we’ve helped over 1.7 million creators produce over 3.3 million clips across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Our AI platform adapts in real time to changes in Shorts length, formatting rules, and algorithm shifts, so creators always stay ahead. This gives us unmatched insight into how video length affects performance and what works to grow your channel.

What Are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts are vertical or square videos under 3 minutes designed for mobile-first viewing. They appear in the Shorts feed, search results, and the main YouTube feed, giving creators multiple discovery points.

How Long Can YouTube Shorts Be?

YouTube Shorts can now be as long as 3 minutes. But this update came with new restrictions on music, monetization, and content strategy that every creator should know.

Here’s a breakdown of the key changes;

Copyright Restrictions for Videos Over 1 Minute:

• Any Content ID claim will block the video worldwide.
• Shorts Audio Library music cannot be used.
• Only royalty-free tracks from YouTube’s Audio Library are allowed.
• Blocked videos are not eligible for monetization.

Copyright Rules for Shorts Under 1 Minute:

• Full access to the Shorts Audio Library, including trending sounds.
• Standard Content ID policies apply.
• More music flexibility makes it easier to go viral.

Because of this, creators often keep music-heavy Shorts under 60 seconds and use longer formats for dialogue-driven or educational content.

Impact on Monetization 

Longer Shorts can earn revenue through YouTube’s Shorts revenue-sharing model, but there are certain factors:

• Viewer attention must hold for the full length to maximize earnings.
• Longer videos compete harder for attention, lowering revenue per view.
• Tracking performance gets more complex as video length increases.

Maximum Length vs. Best Performing Length

YouTube Shorts now allow up to 3 minutes, but that doesn’t mean longer is better. The 3-minute cap is just the maximum. The best performing Shorts are the ones that hold attention and keep completion rates high. Here’s what to know about the different lengths:

15 – 30 Seconds

• Highest completion rates of 75 – 85%.
• Strongest push from the algorithm.
• Works best for quick tips, viral moments, and hook-and-payoff content.
• Generates the most shares and comments.

30 – 60 Seconds

• Balanced performance with 60 – 75% completion rates.
• Enough time for clear explanations.
• A good choice for tutorials, educational content, or product highlights.
• Good monetization potential thanks to engaged viewing.

60 – 120 Seconds

• Completion rates drop to 40 – 60%.
• Useful for deeper storytelling, product demos, or before-and-after reveals.
• Works when context or multiple steps are required.

120 – 180 Seconds

• Lowest completion rates of 25 – 40%.
• Only effective when the content is highly engaging from start to finish.
• Best for detailed reviews, in-depth tutorials, or serialized content where viewers expect a longer format.

While 3-minute Shorts are possible, they require exceptionally engaging content to maintain viewer attention throughout the entire duration.

Repurposing Long-Form Content into YouTube Shorts

Making new content every time takes hours of editing and drains creative energy, which is why repurposing long-form videos is a smarter approach. 

With tools like Klap, you can automatically extract the best moments from your videos, format them for Shorts, and produce multiple clips without sacrificing quality or burning out.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you repurpose your longer videos with Klap;

Step 1: Sign Up for Klap and Choose Your Plan

Start by creating your Klap account:

• Visit klap.app and sign up for free
• Start with the free trial (no credit card required) or pick a plan that fits your needs.

Once registered, you'll have access to our AI-powered video editing platform designed specifically for content repurposing.

Step 2: Upload Your Source Content

Find the long-form content you want to repurpose :

• Webinars and presentations: Perfect for educational or explainer-style videos
• Podcast episodes : Great for authentic, conversational ad content
• Product demos: Ideal for showcasing features and benefits
• Customer testimonials: Excellent for building trust and social proof

Upload your video file directly to the Klap platform - we support all major video formats.

Step 3: Let Klap's AI Analyze Your Content

Once uploaded, Klap's AI will automatically:

• Identify the most engaging segments with high retention potential
• Detect key moments that contain value propositions
• Locate emotional triggers and compelling storytelling elements
• Find segments that work as complete, standalone narratives

This analysis typically takes just a few minutes, even for hour-long videos.

Step 4: Review and Select AI-Generated Clips

Klap will present you with multiple clip options:

• Engagement-focused clips: Segments with the highest viewer retention
• Conversion-optimized clips: Moments with clear calls-to-action or value propositions
• Platform-specific suggestions: Clips optimized for different social media formats
• Audience-targeted options: Content tailored to specific demographics or interests

You can preview each clip and select the ones that best align with your campaign objectives.

Step 5: Customize for YouTube Shorts

Klap automatically creates versions optimized for Instagram (Square 1:1 and vertical 4:5), TikTok , Facebook, YouTube Shorts (Vertical 9:16) format with trending elements. Each version includes smart edits, auto-generated captions, and consistent branding.

Step 6: Add Professional Finishing Touches

Enhance your clips with Klap's built-in features:

• AI-generated captions : Automatically synced and styled for YouTube
• Brand consistency: Apply your colors, fonts, and logos across all variations
• Music and sound effects: Choose from our royalty-free library

Step 7: Export Your Videos

Download your finished video in the formats you need:

• High-quality MP4 files for direct upload to YouTube
• Multiple variations for A/B testing

Repurpose Long Videos into Perfect-Length Shorts with Klap

Getting the right length for your YouTube Short is important, but posting consistently matters just as much. For many creators, the challenge is creating enough Shorts to post consistently. 

That’s where Klap comes in. Our AI-powered platform automatically analyzes your long-form videos and turns them into multiple Shorts with the right pacing, auto-framing, and dynamic captions, ready to perform within the best length ranges for engagement and growth.

Start Klap for free today and turn your existing video content into multiple high-performing Shorts.