YouTube Title Character Limit: 100 Characters
Updated September 2026 · By Joseph Pugliese, founder of Linklay
Last verified: September 7, 2026
YouTube video titles have a hard limit of 100 characters. A title can be shorter than the maximum, and the most important words should appear early because different YouTube surfaces can display only part of a long title.
Quick answer
The YouTube title character limit is 100 characters. YouTube Studio will not accept a video title beyond that limit, and invalid characters can also prevent a title from being saved.
At a glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum title length | 100 characters |
| Applies to | YouTube video titles |
| Invalid characters | Not allowed |
| SEO recommendation | Use the maximum only when the words add value |
What should you use?
A 100-character allowance does not mean every title should be 100 characters long. Search results, recommendations, mobile screens and embeds can show different amounts of the title. Put the topic and the strongest distinguishing phrase near the front so the meaning survives when the title is visually truncated.
How YouTube handles this
Use natural language rather than repeating the same keyword. YouTube’s own description guidance recommends identifying the main words that describe the video and using them prominently in both the title and description. The title should still read like something a person would choose to click.
Practical guidance
If a title needs a long qualifier, move supporting context into the description rather than compressing every detail into the headline. That makes the title easier to scan and gives the description room for sources, links, chapters and additional context.
Sources and verification
Verified against YouTube Help on September 7, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many characters can a YouTube title have?
100 characters.
Is the YouTube title limit a hard limit?
Yes. YouTube Studio lists 100 characters as the title limit.
Should I use all 100 characters?
Not necessarily. Use only the words needed to describe and differentiate the video.
Do spaces count as characters in a YouTube title?
Treat spaces and punctuation as part of the text budget when writing to a character limit.
Sources
- YouTube Help, Edit video settings https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57404
- YouTube Help, Upload YouTube videos https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407