Uploading videos to YouTube

You can upload videos to YouTube in a few easy steps. Use the instructions below to upload your videos from a computer or from a mobile device.

Watch how to upload videos

Check out the following video from the YouTube Creators channel on how to upload videos.

Upload videos in YouTube Studio

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. In the top right-hand corner, click CREATE  and then Upload video.
  3. Select the file you’d like to upload.

Note: You can upload up to 15 videos at a time. Be sure to click Edit  on each file to edit your video details.

​If you close the upload experience before you finish choosing your settings, your video will be saved as a draft on your Videos page.

Step 1: Add basic info

Add important details to your video.
Title The title of your video. This field is required.
Description Info that shows below your video.
Thumbnail The image viewers will see before clicking your video.
Playlists Add your video to one of your existing playlists, or create a new playlist.
Audience To comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), you’re required to tell us whether your videos are made for kids.
Age restriction (advanced) Age-restrict videos that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Step 2: Choose advanced settings

At the bottom of the Details page, select MORE OPTIONS to choose your advanced settings.
Note: Some features may not be available if your video is still processing. You can always upload your video as “Unlisted” and add these features after processing is complete. Learn how to change your video’s privacy setting after upload.
Paid promotion Let viewers and YouTube know that your video has a paid promotion.
Tags Add descriptive keywords to help correct search mistakes.

Tags can be useful if the content of your video is commonly misspelled. Otherwise, tags play a minimal role in your video’s discovery.

Language, subtitles, and closed captions (CC) Choose the original video language. Upload subtitles and closed captions files.
Recording date and location Enter the date the video was recorded and the location where your video was filmed.
License and distribution Choose between a standard copyright license or a Creative Commons license.

Select if your video can be embedded on a different website. Indicate if you’d like to send notifications to your subscribers for your new video.

Category Select the category of your video, such as education or comedy.
Comments and ratings Choose whether viewers can leave comments on the video. Choose whether viewers can see how many likes and dislikes are on your video.

Step 3: Add video elements

Add cards and end screens to show viewers related videos, websites, and calls to action.
End screen Add visual elements to the end of your video. Your video must be 25 seconds or longer to add an end screen. This option is only available after your video is done processing.
Cards Add interactive content to your video. This option is only available after your video is done processing.

Step 4: Preview and publish

Open the Visibility page to choose your video’s privacy setting and pick your video’s publish time. You can also share your video privately.
  • To publish your video now: Select Publish and choose your video’s privacy setting.
    • Tip: Upload your video as “Unlisted” to make sure there are no monetization or processing issues with your video before you publish it.
  • To publish your video later: Select Schedule and pick the date you want your video to be published. Your video will be private until that date.
    • To set up a Premiere, check the box next to “Set as premiere”. Unlisted and private videos can also be converted to Premieres after upload.
Before finishing, preview your changes and make sure they follow YouTube policies.

Upload videos

Use the YouTube Android app to upload videos by recording a new video or selecting an existing one:

  1. Sign in to your channel on the YouTube app.
  2. At the bottom of the app, tap Create "".
  3. Record  a new video or select an existing video from your gallery.
  4. Add a title (max 100 characters) and description (max 5,000 characters) to your video.
  5. (Optional) Use enhancements:
    • Add a filter  to your video.
    • Trim your video by dragging the edges of the white box beneath your video.
  6. Select “Yes, it’s made for kids” or “No, it’s not made for kids” to choose your audience. If you aren’t sure, check out this Help Center article.
  7. Tap UPLOAD to publish your video.

Sometimes we begin uploading your video while you’re recording the video. We never publish a video without your consent.

Watch an example

If you’d like a demo of how to upload videos in the Android app, watch the following video.

Upload videos

Use the YouTube iOS app to upload videos by recording a new video or selecting an existing one:

  1. Sign in to your channel on the YouTube app.
  2. At the bottom of the app, tap Create "".
  3. Record  a new video or select an existing video from your gallery.
  4. (Optional) Use enhancements:
    • Trim your video  by dragging the edges of the light blue box beneath your video.
    • Add a filter  to your video.
  5. Select NEXT.
  6. Add your video details.
  7. Select “Yes, it’s made for kids” or “No, it’s not made for kids” to choose your audience. If you aren’t sure, check out this Help Center article.
  8. Tap UPLOAD to publish your video.

Sometimes we begin uploading your video while you’re recording the video. We never publish a video without your consent.

Watch an example

If you’d like a demo of how to upload videos on your iPhone or iPad, watch the following video.

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