YouTube shorts are so popular now among all the generations of people today. YouTube shorts are nothing but vertical video content. Shorts have become the go-to platform for both creators and viewers in this fast-paced world. Creators come here to deliver their impactful content into short and crisp videos. Sometimes, they simultaneously get views from a free YouTube views generator for an initial push. Whereas, viewers come here for entertainment purposes.
But if a creator wants to stand out from the crowd, nailing the aspect ratio of their videos is important. You may wonder why. It is simply because nobody wants their video to look stretched or cropped.
So, what is the ideal aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts, and how can you make sure your videos will reach more audiences? Come on, Let us dive right in.
What Is Aspect Ratio?
Firstly, let us cover the basics before we get deep into the topic. So, what is the aspect ratio? Aspect ratio means the proportion of a video’s width and height. For example, a ratio of 16:9 means the width is sixteen units, and the height is nine units.
For YouTube Shorts, the platform is designed for vertical videos, so the aspect ratio differs from the usual horizontal YouTube videos.
The Ideal Aspect Ratio for YouTube Shorts
The perfect aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts is 9:16.
- It is 9:16 because only this vertical format fills the screen of a smartphone, which is the basic device for viewing Shorts.
- The recommended resolution for YouTube shorts is 1080 x 1920 pixels (Full HD), which ensures high-quality video.
Uploading a video in this format ensures that your content fills up the entire screen without any annoying black bars or cropping.
Why Does Aspect Ratio Matter for Shorts?
YouTube Shorts is all about grabbing your viewer’s attention in the first three seconds itself. Here’s how the right aspect ratio helps:
1. Full-Screen Experience
A 9:16 aspect ratio gives your audience a good viewer experience. Videos with incorrect ratios will show those annoying black bars on the sides or sometimes may crop important parts of your content.
2. Algorithm-Friendly
YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes videos that are specifically optimized for its platform. A perfectly formatted video is more likely to be recommended as it boosts your chances of gaining more views and subscribers.
3. Improved Engagement
Videos that fit the screen perfectly are easier to watch, which makes your viewers more likely to stay till the end, like, and share your content.
What Happens If You Don’t Consider the Aspect Ratio?
Let us say you have uploaded a short video with a usual YouTube horizontal 16:9 ratio. Here is what can happen:
- Cropping: Parts of your video may be cropped off to fit the screen.
- Black Bars: You will end up with black bars on the top and bottom, which makes your video less visually appealing.
- Reduced Impact: The overall viewing experience will not be engaging, and viewers might swipe past your content.
How to Ensure Your Videos Match the 9:16 Ratio
Here are some tips to get it right:
1. Shoot in Vertical Mode
- Use your smartphone in a vertical form to record your videos for YouTube shorts. Most smartphones usually capture videos in a 9:16 aspect ratio.
- For professional cameras, adjust the settings to record in vertical format or crop the footage while you are editing your video.
2. Edit with Aspect Ratio in Mind
- Make Use of video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro to format your videos.
- Set the canvas size to 1080 x 1920 pixels before editing.
3. Use YouTube’s Built-In Tools
YouTube’s editing tools allow you to crop and adjust the video directly on the platform. However, it is always better to format the video correctly before uploading it for maximum quality.
Will YouTube Shorts Boost Your Channel?
Come on, who doesn’t love something that is short and snappy? Most of the YouTube users love short-form videos. Most of the creators use YouTube shorts to give a preview of their own long YouTube videos. For this, they convert their YouTube to MP4 to later turn them into a YouTube short.
Shorts also attract new audiences to your channel. Creating shorts should be your content strategy, which will really help you upgrade your YouTube presence, which may later turn into a stable income.
Time for a Quick Wrap-Up?
Now, we all know that the perfect aspect ratio for YouTube shorts is 9:16. This vertical format not only makes your videos look professional but also ensures that they are algorithm-friendly and engaging for your viewers. Once you start creating YouTube shorts, you will be amazed at how fast your channel is growing. Focus just on the quality and the aspect ratio to avoid all those black bars on your video.
