Video titles and hashtags: length limits and what actually works

Your title and thumbnail do most of the work of getting a click. The title also tells search what your video is about. Here's how to make it fit and still say what it needs to.

How long can a title be?

Titles can be up to 100 characters. That doesn't mean people will see all of them. Feeds and search results show only the first one or two lines, and on phones that's often around 50 to 60 characters before the title gets cut off with "…".

The exact cut-off point depends on the screen, the font, and which letters you use. Wide letters like W and M take more space than i or l. That's why the Title Checker shows your actual title in different layouts instead of just counting characters.

Put the important words first

Since the end of a long title is often hidden, lead with the words that matter most: the topic, the result, or the hook. Extra detail can go at the end, where it helps search without needing to be seen.

• Weaker: In today's video I'm going to show you my easy method for crispy dosa at home
• Stronger: Crispy Dosa at Home: The Easy Method (No Fermenting Overnight)

Other title tips

• Avoid all capitals. Capitalise one or two key words if you want emphasis.
• Use numbers when they're real. "5 mistakes" or "in 10 minutes" sets a clear expectation.
• Go easy on emoji. One can add personality. Several make a title harder to scan.
• Match the thumbnail, don't repeat it. Let each one add something the other doesn't.
• Deliver what you promise. Misleading titles get clicks once, then hurt watch time and trust.

How hashtags work

You can add hashtags to your title or description. Of the hashtags in your description, up to three can be shown next to your title. All of them stay clickable in the description.

• No spaces: use #HomeCooking or #homecooking, not #home cooking.
• Keep them relevant. Unrelated or misleading hashtags can get the video removed.
• Don't overdo it. If a video has more than 60 hashtags, all of them are ignored. In practice, 3 to 5 focused hashtags work better than a long list.

See the platform's own hashtag rules for the full policy.

Try it

Type your title into the Title Checker to see how it looks in search, the home feed, on phones and in the "up next" list, and get instant tips. Then use the Description Builder to add chapters, links and hashtags in the right format.