Video size
YouTube landscape video size
16:9 is the standard desktop player shape. YouTube also adapts its player to other aspect ratios and the viewing device, so a different shape does not need baked-in black bars.
Compare pixel sizes · Calculate a crop or fit
- Resolution
- 1920x1080
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
- Also accepted
- 1:1 · 9:16
File: Suggested export: MP4, H.264 video, AAC-LC audio at 48 kHz. Maximum upload size is 256 GB.
Length: Uploads longer than 15 minutes require verification. Maximum upload: 12 hours or 256 GB, whichever comes first. Checked September 2026.
Export suggestions, not a guarantee of how every upload will display. Rules checked: 12 September 2026. Platform docs.
YouTube landscape resolution sizes
Width comes first, then height. These resolutions share the same 16:9 shape. 4K has more pixels; it is not a different aspect ratio.
| Width x height | Ratio | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| 1280 x 720 | 16:9 | 720p |
| 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | 1080p |
| 2560 x 1440 | 16:9 | 1440p |
| 3840 x 2160 | 16:9 | 4K / 2160p |
YouTube can adapt its player to a different source shape; you do not need to crop every upload to 16:9. YouTube guidance.
Need to keep the whole scene? Read our guide to resizing without cropping.
Crop or fit calculator
Enter your source dimensions. Crop fills the output by trimming edges; fit keeps the whole scene and adds space around it. No file upload needed.
Enter whole-pixel dimensions from 1 to 32768.
- Source crop box
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- Source offset
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- Trimmed away
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- Export at
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The outline shows the crop or fitted picture. Shaded bands are rough layout guides for vertical output, not official safe-zone dimensions. Actual controls vary by device, captions and player state; check the upload preview.
Do the crop on your phone
Cropzen crops, trims and resizes video to these ratios on Android. No watermark or sign-up. 1080p exports are free; Pro adds 4K.
What to watch out for on YouTube
- The progress bar and controls cover the bottom strip while the viewer is interacting.
- Keep the original aspect ratio when the whole frame matters; avoid adding black bars to the file.
- Use source resolution as a guide: exporting a 1080p source at 4K does not add captured detail.
Questions people ask
What size should a YouTube landscape video be?
A suggested export is 1920 by 1080 pixels at 16:9. 16:9 is the standard desktop player shape. YouTube also adapts its player to other aspect ratios and the viewing device, so a different shape does not need baked-in black bars.
Which aspect ratio does YouTube accept besides 16:9?
YouTube adapts its player to other shapes, including square and vertical video. 4K describes resolution, not a separate aspect ratio: 3840x2160 is still 16:9.
Where does the YouTube interface cover the video?
Controls and captions can cover the picture differently across devices and viewing modes. The shaded calculator preview is an illustrative margin, not an official safe-zone specification. Check your upload preview before placing important text near an edge.
How do I crop a video I already shot to this size?
Use the calculator on this page to get the exact crop box, then apply it in any editor. On Android, Cropzen does it in a few taps with no watermark and no sign-up.
What size is a 1080p landscape YouTube video?
1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high at 16:9. A 4K export at the same shape is 3840x2160. Choose a resolution supported by your source footage; upscaling does not recover captured detail.
Should I add black bars before uploading to YouTube?
For ordinary uploads, YouTube recommends avoiding padding baked into the file because its player can adapt to the original aspect ratio. Use padding when you specifically need a fixed canvas for another deliverable.