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YouTube Monetization Calculator

See how close you are to getting paid by YouTube, and the day you can apply at your pace.

Subscribers

Watch hours

Shorts views

Find the first box of each row in YouTube Studio, under Earn. The 28-day boxes are optional and set your pace. Fill one path or both.

Your goal

1,000 subscribers

And 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views. Type yours above to see how close you are.

Subscribers, of 1,000Add yours
Watch hours, of 4,000Add yours
Shorts views, of 10 millionAdd yours
Fan funding, at 500 subscribersAdd yours

Want it by a date?

See what each day takes to apply by then.

Subscribers a dayAdd yours above
Watch hours a dayAdd yours above
Shorts views a dayAdd yours above

To get monetized on YouTube, you need 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months, or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. Channels that apply from February 1, 2027 need 8,000 hours or 20 million views.

YouTube Partner Program Requirements (2026)

YouTube counts your subscribers now, your watch hours over a rolling 12 months and your Shorts views over a rolling 90 days. You need the subscribers plus one path.

What it unlocks Subscribers Or Shorts views, 90 days Watch hours, 12 months
Fan funding5003 million3,000
Ad money today1,00010 million4,000
Ad money, applying from February 1, 20271,00020 million8,000

You also need to live where the program is open and have no active Community Guidelines strikes. Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google Account too.

How to Get Monetized on YouTube in

Five steps take a new channel from its first upload to its first ad money.

  1. Create and verify your YouTube channel

    Add a banner, a profile picture and a description. Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google Account. Our Banner Maker and Bio Generator help you start.

  2. Upload consistently and grow your audience

    Pick one topic and post on a schedule you can keep. Still choosing your topic? Try our Niche Finder.

  3. Reach the eligibility thresholds

    Get 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views. The calculator above shows the day you get there.

  4. Apply for the YouTube Partner Program

    In YouTube Studio, press Earn and apply. YouTube then reviews your channel against its monetization policies before it says yes.

  5. Set up AdSense and start earning

    Once approved, link an AdSense account and choose your ad formats. Our Money Calculator estimates what your views could pay.

Early Monetization at 500 Subscribers

At 500 subscribers you can start earning from your fans before ads. You also need 3 public uploads in 90 days, plus 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views.

It unlocks channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks. Ads still need the full goal. The calculator above tracks it as fan funding.

Standard Path vs Shorts Path: Which is Faster?

Whichever path you finish first is the one that counts. Pick by what you already make, or run both.

Watch hours path

Suits longer videos people finish, like tutorials, reviews and vlogs.

Shorts path

Suits channels that post Shorts often. One Short that takes off can carry a lot of it.

Both at once

Long videos build hours while Shorts build reach. Subscribers from either count on both paths.

Growth Strategies by Channel Size

0 to 100 subscribers

Find your topic and upload on a schedule. Learn what your viewers stay for.

100 to 500 subscribers

Sharpen titles with our Title Generator, add Shorts, and team up with creators your size.

500 to 1,000 subscribers

Double down on what works with tags, keyword research and our Subscriber Milestone Calculator.

What Changes on February 1, 2027

Channels that apply for ad money from that day need 8,000 watch hours, or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days. Subscribers stay at 1,000, and channels already in the program keep it.

Fan funding stays at 500 subscribers and 3,000 hours. YouTube has not said what happens to an application still in review that day, so apply early if you are close.

Sources checked in October 2026: YouTube Help on Partner Program eligibility and on the 2027 change.

Common Rejection Reasons (and How to Fix Them)

Meeting the goals does not guarantee approval, because YouTube also reviews your channel against its policies. These are the common reasons it says no, and the fix.

  1. Reused content without added value

    Re-uploads, clips with no commentary and computer voices over stock footage get turned down. Add your own commentary, voice or creative twist to every video.

  2. Repetitious or low-quality content

    Near-identical videos built from one template get turned down. Give each video its own value, and vary your formats and topics.

  3. Misleading titles and thumbnails

    A title, thumbnail or description that does not match the video gets turned down. A bold title is fine, as long as the video delivers it.

  4. Inactive or abandoned channel

    A channel with no recent uploads can be turned down, even past the goals. Keep uploading before and after you apply.

  5. Community Guidelines strikes

    An active strike blocks approval. Remove anything that may break the guidelines, and wait for each strike to expire after 90 days before you reapply.

Turned down? YouTube lets you reapply after 30 days. Use that time to fix the reason given in your email.

YouTube Monetization FAQ

What creators ask most on the way to getting paid.

What are the YouTube monetization requirements in 2026?

1,000 subscribers, plus 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days. Channels that apply from February 1, 2027 need 8,000 hours or 20 million views.

How long does it take to get monetized on YouTube?

It depends on your pace, so there is no typical time. Type your numbers and your last 28 days above, and the calculator shows the day you can apply.

Which is faster: the watch hours path or the Shorts path?

Whichever you finish first. Watch hours count over 12 months. Shorts views count over 90 days, so a few big Shorts can get you there fast. Fill both above to compare.

What happens after I meet the YouTube monetization requirements?

Apply in YouTube Studio, under Earn. YouTube reviews your channel against its monetization policies. Once approved, you accept the terms and link an AdSense account to get paid.

How many subscribers do I need to make money on YouTube?

1,000 for ad money. At 500 you can start fan funding, like channel memberships and Super Thanks, once you also have the uploads and the hours or views.

What counts as a valid public watch hour?

Watch time on your public videos in the last 12 months. Private, unlisted and deleted videos do not count. Neither do views from paid ads, or Shorts watched in the Shorts feed.

Do Shorts views count toward 4,000 watch hours?

No. Watch hours from the Shorts feed do not count. Shorts have their own path: 10 million views in 90 days. Subscribers you gain from Shorts count on both paths.

What changes on February 1, 2027?

Channels that apply from that day need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views, still with 1,000 subscribers. The calculator above uses the goals for the day you would qualify.

What is early monetization on YouTube?

Fan funding at 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in 90 days, and 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views. It unlocks memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks, but not ad money.

How accurate is this monetization calculator?

It uses the goals YouTube publishes and its rolling windows: 12 months for hours, 90 days for Shorts views. The date assumes your last 28 days carry on, so one big video can move it.

Can I lose monetization after I am approved?

Yes. YouTube keeps reviewing channels in the program and can remove one that breaks its monetization policies. You can apply again once the problem is fixed.

Is my data saved?

Your numbers stay in this browser, so they are there next time. Nothing is sent to us and nothing is charged.

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