Want to take advantage of YouTube Shorts but don’t want to use your phone? You’re not alone. Many creators prefer editing and uploading from a desktop setup. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to upload YouTube Shorts from PC or Mac, with detailed steps, format requirements, and tools to make the process easy.
What Are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are short-form vertical videos under 60 seconds designed for quick, engaging content. With billions of daily views, Shorts are one of the fastest-growing features on YouTube — and yes, you can upload them directly from your desktop, not just your phone.
What You’ll Need Before Uploading a Short
To successfully upload a YouTube Short from your computer, make sure you have the following:
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A vertical video with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels
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Duration: 60 seconds or less
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A YouTube channel with an active account
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Basic editing software or tools like Canva (affiliate link) to resize, trim, and format your video
Step 1: Convert Your Video to Vertical Format
To qualify as a Short, your video must be in vertical format (aspect ratio 9:16). If it was shot horizontally, use an editing tool to convert it.
Tools to Convert Your Video:
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Free option: Canva – Resize videos online and export in the correct format
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Pro software: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve
Be sure to export the video at 1080×1920 resolution to ensure it displays correctly on mobile devices.
Step 2: Trim the Video to 60 Seconds or Less
YouTube Shorts must be 60 seconds or under. If your video is longer, trim it using editing software or online tools.
Recommended tools:
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CapCut or Clipchamp (free, browser-based)
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Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro for more control
Keeping your video short and engaging is crucial for retaining viewers and increasing visibility in the Shorts feed.
Step 3: Upload Your YouTube Short from PC or Mac
Once your video is formatted and trimmed:
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Go to YouTube.com and sign in to your account
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Click the “Create” icon (camera with a plus sign) in the top right
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Select “Upload video”
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Choose your vertical, sub-60-second video file
YouTube will automatically detect that the video qualifies as a Short based on its format and duration.
Step 4: Add Title, Description, and Hashtags
On the upload screen:
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Add a clear and concise title that includes your main keyword or topic
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Write a short description with relevant hashtags like
#shortsto help categorize the content -
(Optional but recommended) Upload a custom thumbnail
While the hashtag #shorts is not required, it still helps with visibility and sorting in some cases.
Step 5: Publish and Promote Your YouTube Short
Click “Next” through the upload steps and set your video’s visibility to Public, then hit Publish.
To maximize exposure:
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Share the link on social media
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Embed it in blog posts or email newsletters
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Add it to a YouTube playlist titled “Shorts”
Respond to comments and engage with viewers to help the algorithm push your content further.
Final Thoughts: Uploading YouTube Shorts from Desktop
You don’t need a mobile device to grow with Shorts. By learning how to upload YouTube Shorts from PC or Mac, you can take full control over the editing, formatting, and publishing process — all from your desktop.
If you’re ready to start creating, try formatting your videos with Canva for free and get your first Short live today.