Have you ever agonized over your YouTube upload slowly crawling across the screen? Wondering why it takes so long to put videos on YouTube? Don‘t worry, I‘ve been there too!
As a tech specialist and devoted YouTube user myself, I wanted to provide a detailed guide to demystify YouTube upload times. My goal is to answer all your questions on expected YouTube upload speeds based on video length, resolutions, and other factors.
I‘ll also give proven tips to shave precious minutes (or hours!) off your publishing times. Because I know you‘d rather spend that time creating more awesome content vs watching progress bars!
Let‘s dive right into the key influences on how fast your videos upload to YouTube‘s servers:
What Factors Determine YouTube Upload Speeds
Several key elements combine to impact how long uploads take to fully publish on YouTube:
Video Resolution
Higher video resolutions equal much bigger file sizes and longer upload times. Here‘s a comparison:
| Resolution | File Size per Minute | Sample Upload Time |
|---|---|---|
| 240p | 5MB | 1-2 minutes |
| 1080p | 50MB | 3-5 minutes |
| 4K | 200MB+ | 10-15+ minutes |
As you see, a 4K video takes 15x longer than 240p! So consider lowering resolution if speed is critical.
Video Codec
The video encoding format significantly influences file size. codecs designed specifically for web use like H.264 and VP9 enable smaller sizes for faster uploads.
Internet Connection Bandwidth
Home internet speeds often max out below 25 Mbps. That works out to 3 MB/sec max uploads speeds. On a 100 Mbps connection reaching 10 MB/sec, you can slash upload times.
Peak Usage Hours
Weekday evenings tend to see high internet traffic and YouTube usage, slowing uploads across the board. Late nights and early mornings work best for avoiding congestion.
Now let‘s see how video length also plays a major role in upload times:
How Long Do YouTube Video Uploads Take?
With average 1080p home internet connections, here is what to reasonably expect:
1 Minute Video
A 1 minute 1080p30 video will be around 50 MB. Uploads should take 1 to 2 minutes fully process after uploading.
5 Minute Video
5 minute videos contain 4-5x more data. Allow 5 to 10 minutes for uploading and processing.
20+ Minute Video
Lengthy 30-60 minute videos need to be started hours before publishing deadlines. 60+ minutes for uploading is common. Schedule overnight if possible.
Now that you know what to expect, let‘s walk through uploading to YouTube step-by-step:
12 Steps to Uploading Videos on YouTube
Follow along with these simple steps to upload your next video to YouTube:
Step 1: Sign Into YouTube Studio
Access YouTube Studio by signing into YouTube and clicking on your profile picture, then YouTube Studio. This is where you manage all creator tools.
Step 2: Click "Upload Video"
From your YouTube Studio dashboard, click the large blue "Upload Video" button to launch the uploading process.
Step 3: Select Your Video
In the upload pop-up window, click "Select files" and choose your video file from your computer. Ensure your video is formatted properly beforehand for quick, smooth uploads.
Step 4: Enter Video Details
On the Details tab, fill out the title, description, tags, thumbnail image, and more. Optimize these to maximize clickthrough rates from searches and suggested videos.
Step 5: Configure Advanced Settings
Expand the advanced settings menu to enable important options like monetization, subtitles, cards, end screens, and viewer age restrictions.
Step 6: Check Copyright and Restrictions
The copyright tab scans for third-party content matches. Resolve any claims or community guideline strikes to avoid account sanctions.
Step 7: Choose Visibility
On the visibility tab, select public, private or unlisted viewing access for controlling who can watch your video.
Step 8: Schedule Publishing (Optional)
If desired, set a future publish date and time under the visibility tab. Use schedules to coordinate video marketing campaigns.
Step 9: Save Video Details
With all details entered, click "Save" or "Schedule" to start video upload processing.
Step 10: Monitor Upload Progress
The progress bar shows upload status in real-time. Expect some additional processing time even after reaching 100% before your video finishes publishing.
And that‘s all it takes to fully upload a YouTube video! As you likely noticed though, even short videos can take some time.
Now let‘s get into pro tips to expedite uploads:
7 Pro Tips for Blazing Fast YouTube Uploads
Here are my top 7 expert recommendations for slashing precious minutes or hours off your YouTube upload speeds:
1. Optimize Video Resolution
When possible, aim for 1080p instead of 4K. Those extra pixels require much heavier files. 960p or 1440p balances quality and speed.
2. Use Recommended Codecs
H.264 or VP9 encoding have excellent compression and performance. Avoid outdated options like H.263 or MPEG-2.
3. Lower the Framerate When Feasible
30fps offers smooth playback for most videos instead of 60fps, while massively cutting file size.
4. Try Variable Bitrates
VBR encoding tailors quality and bitrates throughout your video, delivering smaller files.
5. Upload During Off-Peak Hours
publishing outside of peak evening internet usage avoids network congestion.
6. Verify Your Speeds
Confirm your internet provider delivers optimum 25+ Mbps upload bandwidth using speed tests.
7. Use YouTube Video Optimization Tools
Tools like VideoProc analyze clips to fine-tune resolutions and codecs for ideal encoding.
Using those advanced tactics tailors uploads to balance quality and speed, cutting crucial time off publishing.
Let‘s wrap up with answers to some frequently asked questions:
YouTube Upload Speed FAQs
How long should YouTube uploads take?
As we covered earlier, on a standard home connection you can expect roughly:
- 1 minute video: 1-2 minutes
- 5 minute video: 5-10 minutes
- 30 minute video: 60+ minutes
With the pro tips like optimized encoding and resolutions, you may see even faster speeds.
Why are my YouTube uploads slow?
Common reasons for slow YouTube upload speeds include:
- Poor internet connection quality
- Overly high 4K or 8K video resolutions
- Outdated or inefficient video codecs
- Uploading during peak evening congestion
Double check your internet speeds and optimize encoding settings.
What is the best frequency for new YouTubers?
When starting out, aim to upload at least 2 quality videos per week. This gives new visitors incentive to subscribe. Scale up to 3-5 new uploads weekly as you build momentum.
What content performs best on YouTube?
Currently, music videos and children’s content receive the most views on YouTube. But many genres like gaming, tech, and vlogs build huge dedicated audiences. Focus on delivering value to your niche.
I hope this guide gives you more insight into expected YouTube upload times. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
