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Video Length Optimizer

Find the ideal video length for your YouTube content. Get recommendations based on your niche, plus calculate how many videos you need to reach your content goals.

Your Content

Step-by-step guides, explainers
4h

Recommended Length

8m
20m
12 minOptimal
Videos for 4h content20 videos
Total duration240 min
Mid-roll ads available✓ Yes (8+ min)

Tips for Tutorials / How-to

  • Break into chapters for longer content
  • Front-load key information
  • Include timestamps

Video Length by Content Type

Content TypeMinimumOptimalMaximumMid-roll Ads
Tutorials / How-to8 min12 min20 min
Gaming10 min20 min40 min
Vlogs / Lifestyle8 min15 min25 min
Educational / Courses10 min15 min30 min
Entertainment / Comedy5 min10 min20 min
Music / Lofi30 min60 min180 min
News / Commentary8 min12 min20 min
Reviews / Unboxing8 min12 min20 min

Perfect for 24/7 Streaming

Music, ambient, and lofi content is ideal for 24/7 streaming. Upload your longer videos and let them loop continuously for passive watch hours.

Start 24/7 Streaming Free

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on content type. Tutorials: 8-15 minutes. Entertainment: 10-20 minutes. Gaming: 15-30 minutes. For monetization, videos over 8 minutes can have mid-roll ads, significantly increasing revenue potential.

Not necessarily. Watch time and retention matter more than length. A 10-minute video with 70% retention beats a 30-minute video with 20% retention. Match length to content - don't pad videos artificially.

There's no minimum length for monetization eligibility. However, videos need to be at least 8 minutes to enable mid-roll ads, which can significantly increase revenue. Shorts (under 60 seconds) have separate monetization.

YouTube Shorts must be 60 seconds or less. For optimal performance, 15-30 seconds often works best - long enough to deliver value, short enough to encourage replays and shares.

YouTube prioritizes watch time, not video length. The algorithm favors videos that keep viewers on the platform longer. A well-made 8-minute video often outperforms a padded 20-minute video.