How much do YouTube shorts pay?

How Much Do YouTube Shorts Really Pay?

Many creators are jumping into YouTube Shorts hoping for quick earnings, but the reality might be less glamorous than expected. On average, YouTube Shorts pays between $0.01 and $0.06 per 1,000 views. Yes, you read that right—pennies per thousand. That’s a fraction of what long-form videos generate.

For comparison, traditional YouTube videos typically earn between $1.25 and $2.50 per 1,000 views, with some niches reaching even higher. The difference comes down to advertising. Long-form content allows for mid-roll and pre-roll ads, giving YouTube and creators more opportunities to earn. Shorts, however, rely on a revenue-sharing pool funded by ads shown between clips, which is then distributed based on views and engagement.

So, if you’re racking up millions of views on Shorts, the total could still add up—but don’t expect the same return per view. A short with 1 million views might only bring in around $10 to $60, while a long-form video with the same views could net hundreds.

Still, Shorts aren’t without value. They’re a powerful tool for growing your audience quickly. Many creators use them as a gateway to drive traffic to their main channel and higher-earning content. Viral Shorts can boost subscriber counts, promote videos, and even lead to brand deals—revenue streams that don’t depend solely on ad payouts.

The bottom line? Don’t make Shorts for the direct paycheck. Make them for visibility, momentum, and audience building. The real money often comes from what happens after the short ends—not from the short itself.