One long video can give you many Shorts: the best tip, a funny moment, the key answer. You don't need editing software. Here is how to cut a long video into vertical Shorts in your browser.
What counts as a YouTube Short
For a standard channel, YouTube treats a video uploaded on or after 15 October 2024 as a Short if it has a square or vertical aspect ratio and is up to three minutes long. Vertical 9:16 fills the phone screen, so it is the best choice.
One catch: YouTube says a Short over one minute with an active copyright claim (for example, copyrighted music) is blocked. Keep longer Shorts free of claimed content.
Step 1: Open the tool and add your video
Open Long Video to Shorts and choose your video file from your phone or computer. The video is processed in your browser and is not uploaded to our server.
Step 2: Pick your clips
- Auto-split: cut the whole video into equal parts in one go. Good for lectures, podcasts and long talks.
- Pick start points: play the video and choose the best moments yourself. This usually gets more views, because each Short starts on something interesting.
Choose a length for each Short. 20–60 seconds suits most hooks and tips; go up to 3 minutes only when the story needs it.
Step 3: Set the 9:16 frame
A normal video is wide (16:9). Drag the tall 9:16 frame over the part of the picture you want, usually the speaker's face, so it stays in the shot.
Step 4: Make and download
Press Make Shorts, then download each Short or all of them as a ZIP.
Step 5: Upload to YouTube
Upload through the YouTube app or YouTube Studio. Write a clear title with the YouTube Title Generator and add a few relevant tags from the Hashtag Generator.
Tips for Shorts that get watched
- Start with the hook in the first 1–2 seconds. Cut any "hello everyone" intro.
- One idea per Short.
- Keep faces and on-screen text in the centre of the frame.
- Need just one exact clip? Cut it with the Video Trimmer, then change the shape with the Video Resizer.
The same vertical clips work for Instagram Reels too. For WhatsApp Status, note that WhatsApp says status videos can be at most 90 seconds.
YouTube's rules for Shorts can change. Check YouTube Help for the latest length, format and music rules before you post. ToolSandook is not connected to YouTube.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a YouTube Short be?
For standard channels, a square or vertical video up to three minutes long, uploaded on or after 15 October 2024, is treated as a Short.
How do I convert a long YouTube video into Shorts for free?
Open ToolSandook's Long Video to Shorts, choose your video, auto-split it or pick clips, drag the 9:16 frame over the speaker and download the Shorts. No app is needed.
What aspect ratio should a Short be?
Square or vertical. Vertical 9:16 fills the phone screen, so it is the best choice.
Can I use music in a Short longer than one minute?
Be careful: YouTube says Shorts over one minute with an active copyright claim are blocked. Use music from YouTube's audio libraries or none.