Best time to post on YouTube
For long YouTube videos, the best time to upload is in the morning: Sunday at 10 AM is the strongest slot, and weekdays work best between 7 AM and noon. Shorts are the opposite. They do best in the evening, around 7 to 8 PM, with Friday at 4 PM as the best single slot. Choose "YouTube Shorts" in the calculator to see those times.
Best time to upload long videos, by day
| Day | Best time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9 AM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM |
| Thursday | 5 PM |
| Friday | 12 PM |
| Saturday | 12 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM |
Sunday is the best day for long videos and Thursday the weakest.
Best time to post YouTube Shorts, by day
| Day | Best time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 PM |
| Friday | 4 PM |
| Saturday | 7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 PM |
Friday is the best day for Shorts and Monday the weakest. Source for both tables: Buffer's 2026 analysis of 1.8 million YouTube videos, in each channel's local time.
Why long videos and Shorts differ
A long video gets most of its first views from subscribers and search, and they need time to sit down and watch. A morning upload gives it the whole day to collect views. Shorts are watched in quick bursts when people scroll, which happens most in the evening. If you post both, give them separate schedules. Our guide to the best time to post YouTube Shorts explains how much timing matters for Shorts.
Find your own best time on YouTube
In YouTube Studio, open Analytics → Audience and look at When your viewers are on YouTube. The darkest bars are your peak hours. Publish one to two hours before them, so the video is indexed and ready when your viewers arrive.
Schedule uploads for the best time
YouTube Studio lets you schedule videos one at a time. ClipFlame's YouTube scheduler puts Shorts and full videos on one calendar with your other platforms, with title, description, visibility and thumbnail set for each one. To see what the views could earn, try the YouTube money calculator.
Common questions
What is the best time to upload on YouTube?
For long videos, mornings: Sunday at 10 AM is the strongest slot, and weekdays work best between 7 AM and noon.
What is the best time to post YouTube Shorts?
Evenings, around 7 to 8 PM, with Friday at 4 PM the best single slot. See the best time to post Shorts.
Where do I find my own best time on YouTube?
YouTube Studio, Analytics, Audience, then the card When your viewers are on YouTube.
Can I schedule YouTube uploads for these times?
Yes, in YouTube Studio, or with ClipFlame's YouTube scheduler alongside your other platforms.