Upload Time Calculator
Calculate how long it will take to upload your video to YouTube based on file size and internet upload speed. Includes estimated processing time.
Upload Settings
Estimated Time
Upload Time by Speed
| File Size | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 25 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 MB10 min @ 720p | 14 min | 7 min | 3 min | 1 min |
| 1 GB10 min @ 1080p | 28 min | 14 min | 6 min | 2 min |
| 2 GB20 min @ 1080p | 55 min | 28 min | 11 min | 3 min |
| 5 GB1 hour @ 1080p | 2.3 hr | 1.1 hr | 28 min | 7 min |
| 10 GB1 hour @ 4K | 4.6 hr | 2.3 hr | 55 min | 14 min |
Speed Up Your Uploads
Use Ethernet
Wired connections are faster and more stable than WiFi
Off-Peak Hours
Upload late night or early morning for faster speeds
Compress First
Use Handbrake or similar to reduce file size before upload
Frequently Asked Questions
Upload time depends on file size and internet speed. A 1GB video takes about 15 minutes on 10 Mbps upload, 7 minutes on 20 Mbps, or 3 minutes on 50 Mbps. After upload, YouTube also needs time to process the video.
Common reasons: slow upload speed (check with speedtest.net), large file size, network congestion during peak hours, or YouTube server load. Try uploading during off-peak hours or compressing your video.
Tips: Use wired ethernet instead of WiFi, upload during off-peak hours (early morning), compress videos before upload, close other programs using bandwidth, or upgrade your internet plan for faster upload speeds.
Download speed is for receiving data (streaming, browsing). Upload speed is for sending data (uploading videos). Most home internet plans have much slower upload than download. Check your actual upload speed at speedtest.net.
Processing time varies by video length and resolution. A 10-minute 1080p video typically processes in 10-30 minutes. 4K videos take longer. Processing happens after upload completes and before the video goes live.