Verified Confidence: high
Primary source found; it says the same thing, the scope matches, and it is reasonably current.
Safe rephrasing
YouTube caps uploads at 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever comes first; uploads over 15 minutes require a verified account.
What the source says
The maximum file size you can upload is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.
YouTube Help (Google) — Upload videos longer than 15 minutes
- Commonly cited as
- "How long can a YouTube video be?"
- True origin
- YouTube Help (Google) — Upload videos longer than 15 minutes
- Type
- Reference fact: A frequently needed number or rule taken directly from a primary source (e.g. Pew, Census, IAB/PwC, FTC), with its as-of date.
- Year
- Current documentation
- Data as of
- Documentation read on 2026-10-17
- Last checked
- Method & sample
- Official YouTube Help Center documentation.
- Drift between quote and source
- Videos over 15 minutes need a verified account
- Interest
- YouTube documenting its own product.