To export a YouTube Short video from Premiere Pro, you need to configure your sequence and export settings to meet YouTube's vertical video requirements, ensuring a high-quality, engaging short-form video.
Understanding YouTube Shorts Requirements
Before you begin exporting, familiarize yourself with the essential specifications for YouTube Shorts:
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical video).
- Resolution: Typically 1080x1920 pixels (Full HD vertical) or 720x1280 pixels.
- Duration: Maximum of 60 seconds (including any audio or text overlays).
- File Format: MP4 (H.264 codec is standard).
- Filename: Include
#Shortsin the title or description when uploading to help YouTube categorize it.
Setting Up Your Sequence in Premiere Pro for Shorts
Creating a proper vertical sequence is the first step to a successful YouTube Short.
Key Sequence Settings
- Create a New Sequence:
- Go to
File > New > Sequence.
- Go to
- Custom Settings:
- Click the
Settingstab. - Editing Mode: Set to
Custom. - Timebase: Match your footage's frame rate (e.g., 23.976 fps, 29.97 fps, 59.94 fps).
- Frame Size:
- Horizontal: 1080 (for Full HD)
- Vertical: 1920 (for Full HD)
- Alternatively, for 720p: Horizontal 720, Vertical 1280.
- Pixel Aspect Ratio:
Square Pixels (1.0). - Fields:
No Fields (Progressive Scan). - Display Format: Match your frame rate (e.g., 29.97 fps Drop-Frame Timecode).
- Video Previews: Choose a suitable codec (e.g., I-Frame Only MPEG).
- Audio Sample Rate:
48000 Hz.
- Click the
- Name Your Sequence: Give it a descriptive name like "YouTube Short - Vertical."
- Place Your Footage: Drag your footage onto the timeline. If it's horizontal, you'll need to scale and reposition it within the vertical frame.
Practical Insight: To quickly create a vertical sequence, you can drag a vertical video clip directly onto the "New Item" icon in the Project Panel. Premiere Pro will often create a sequence matching its properties, which you can then fine-tune.
Exporting Your YouTube Short from Premiere Pro
Once your video is edited and ready, follow these steps to export it with the correct settings.
Export Settings Walkthrough
- Open Export Window:
- With your sequence active, go to
File > Export > Media. (Or use the shortcutCtrl+MorCmd+M).
- With your sequence active, go to
- Choose Your Format:
- Format: Select
H.264. This is the standard codec for MP4 files and widely compatible with YouTube.
- Format: Select
- Configure Video Settings:
- Preset: You can start with a general preset like
Match Source - Adaptive High Bitrateand then customize it. - Basic Video Settings:
- Width: 1080
- Height: 1920
- Frame Rate: Match your sequence frame rate.
- Field Order:
Progressive. - Aspect:
Square Pixels (1.0).
- Render at Maximum Depth: Check this box for higher quality rendering, especially if you have complex effects or color grading.
- Bitrate Settings:
- Bitrate Encoding:
VBR, 1 PassorCBR(Constant Bitrate).CBRis simpler and often sufficient for Shorts. - Target Bitrate (Mbps): For 1080p, a target of 10-15 Mbps is generally excellent. For 720p, 6-8 Mbps is usually fine. Higher bitrates result in larger file sizes but better quality.
- Bitrate Encoding:
- Use Maximum Render Quality: Check this box to optimize scaling and rendering quality, especially when exporting to a different resolution than your source.
- Preset: You can start with a general preset like
- Configure Audio Settings:
- Audio Format:
AAC. - Audio Codec:
AAC. - Sample Rate:
48000 Hz. - Channels:
Stereo. - Bitrate (kbps):
192or320. Higher is better for audio quality.
- Audio Format:
- Multiplexer:
- Multiplexer:
MP4.
- Multiplexer:
- Output Name: Click the blue text next to "Output Name" to choose your file name and save location.
- Export: Click
Exportto render your video.
Common Export Presets for Shorts
While custom settings offer the most control, you can often adapt existing presets:
- Custom H.264 Preset: Create your own preset after setting the vertical resolution and desired bitrate.
- "Match Source - Adaptive High Bitrate" Modified: Use this as a base, then manually change the Width and Height to 1080x1920 (or 720x1280) in the "Basic Video Settings" section.
Optimizing for Upload
Proper export settings are crucial because they ensure your video looks great on any device, from smartphones to larger screens. Once exported, you're ready to upload. A quick tip for a seamless experience is to upload your YouTube Short through the YouTube platform on a computer, rather than directly from a mobile device, as this can sometimes offer more control over the upload process and ensure the proper processing of your Premiere Pro export.
Quick Export Settings Table
Here's a summary of recommended export settings for YouTube Shorts:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | H.264 |
| Width | 1080 |
| Height | 1920 |
| Frame Rate | Match Source (e.g., 23.976, 29.97, 59.94 fps) |
| Field Order | Progressive |
| Aspect | Square Pixels (1.0) |
| Bitrate Encoding | CBR or VBR, 1 Pass |
| Target Bitrate | 10-15 Mbps (for 1080p) |
| Audio Format | AAC |
| Audio Sample Rate | 48000 Hz |
| Audio Bitrate | 192-320 kbps |
| Multiplexer | MP4 |
| Max Depth/Quality | Check "Render at Maximum Depth" & "Use Maximum Render Quality" |
Tips for Engaging YouTube Shorts
- Strong Hook: Grab attention within the first few seconds.
- Fast Pacing: Keep the edits quick and dynamic.
- Text Overlays: Use text to add context or engage viewers, but keep it concise and readable on mobile.
- Sound Design: Utilize trending audio or custom sound effects to enhance your short.
- Call to Action: Encourage likes, comments, or subscriptions, but keep it brief.
- Loopability: Create videos that feel satisfying even if watched repeatedly.
By following these steps, you can confidently export high-quality YouTube Shorts from Premiere Pro that are optimized for the platform and look excellent on various devices.
