YouTube Title Character Limit: 100 Characters
The YouTube title character limit is 100 characters, and YouTube says video titles cannot include invalid characters. This is a character limit, not a word limit, so check the complete title before uploading and move supporting detail into the description when you need more room.
Checked October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
A title needs to tell a viewer what the video is about without exceeding the upload limit. Start with the subject and the useful outcome, then remove wording that does not help someone decide whether to watch. Treat the allowed length as a ceiling, not a target you must fill. The workflow below separates YouTube's published requirements from editing advice, so you can make a clear title without guessing at a supposed ideal length.
| Field | Published requirement | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Video title | Maximum 100 characters | Check the full draft before uploading; shorten it if it exceeds the limit. |
| Title characters | Cannot include invalid characters | If YouTube flags a character, revise the title in the upload field rather than relying only on a length check. |
| Video description | Maximum 5,000 characters | Use this separate field for supporting explanation that does not belong in the title. |
| Description characters | Cannot include invalid characters | Review the description separately; a compliant title does not validate the rest of the upload. |
YouTube Title Character Limit: 100 Characters
Write the subject and the promise
Draft a title that names the actual subject and tells the viewer what the video covers. For a product tutorial, name the task rather than writing a general sales slogan. Use wording you can support with the finished video. Do not add a result, comparison or demonstration that the recording does not contain.
Check the complete title
Paste the exact draft into the YouTube Title Character Counter linked below and compare it with the 100-character limit. Check the title you intend to upload, not an earlier version without its final wording. Keep the description separate: its 5,000-character allowance does not increase the space available for the title.
Cut repetition before cutting meaning
Remove repeated topic phrases, a long opening greeting and adjectives that do not explain the content. Keep the specific product, task or audience detail that makes the title useful. For example, consider 'How to clean a coffee grinder' instead of a longer introduction about an amazing cleaning tutorial. This is an editing example, not a claim about ranking or views.
Move supporting detail into the description
Keep the main subject in the title and put background explanation in the description. If the title tries to cover every part of the video, choose the central task and explain the remaining context below it. Check that the shorter title still describes the recording accurately; removing essential qualifications can change the promise you are making.
Review the final wording and upload field
Recount after every final edit and review the title where you upload it. YouTube's help page also says titles cannot include invalid characters, so length is not the only check. If you need alternative wording, ask Infinall Chat to rewrite the draft while preserving its meaning, then check the selected version with the counter. AI writing help is not a substitute for YouTube's own validation.
The maximum is not a recommended title length
YouTube's upload help states a maximum of 100 characters. That requirement does not tell you to use every available character, and it should not be turned into a promise that a title of a particular length will perform better. Choose the shortest wording that still gives the viewer a useful, accurate description.
Try reading your draft without the channel name, greeting or repeated keyword. If the meaning stays the same, consider leaving that wording out. If a shorter version hides an important condition or makes the video sound more comprehensive than it is, restore the detail. Clarity is the editing goal; passing the character limit is the upload check.
Checking a title for mobile use
For a mobile review, separate acceptance from readability. Use the published video-title limit to check length, then review the wording on the device you expect your audience to use. Do not assume the upload maximum guarantees that every word will be visible wherever the video appears.
As an editing practice, put the subject early and leave optional context later. Avoid making the reader wait through a greeting or a general phrase before discovering what the video covers. This guide does not prescribe a separate mobile character allowance or a fixed visible cutoff.
When a counter is enough, and when AI helps
If you already have an accurate title and only need a length check, the matching character counter is the more direct approach. There is no need to generate replacement copy just to confirm whether the draft fits.
Infinall Chat can help when the editing problem is wording: ask for clearer alternatives, name the video subject, and explain which details must stay. It writes copy and can use your selected saved brand. Free and Pro accounts both have access to the chat screen. Auto replies are free within fair use limits; other chat choices can use credits, and chat does not show a price before you send. Review the result yourself and count the final title separately.
Frequently asked questions
What is the YouTube title character limit?
YouTube's upload help says video titles have a limit of 100 characters and cannot include invalid characters. Check both the length and any validation message in the upload field before finishing.
Is the YouTube title limit measured in words?
No. The published requirement is a character limit. A word count is not the measurement YouTube specifies, so use a character counter for your final draft rather than trying to fit a particular number of words.
Should I use all 100 characters?
Not necessarily. The number is a maximum, not a writing target. Keep enough detail to describe the video accurately, but remove repetition and supporting explanation that would be more useful in the description.
Can the description hold the text I remove?
The video description has its own 5,000-character limit and cannot include invalid characters. Use it for supporting context while keeping the title specific enough to explain the main subject on its own.
Sources and checks
Every price, rating and number on this page comes from the source pages below, checked October 2026. Prices and plans change often, so confirm on the vendor's own page before you buy.
- YouTube Help: Upload YouTube videos, title and description requirements, checked October 2026
- Infinall AI: Ask a question in Infinall Chat, checked October 2026
- Infinall AI: Platforms, file types and sizes, checked October 2026
- Infinall AI: YouTube Title Character Counter, checked October 2026