How Many Watch Hours to Monetize YouTube (Complete Guide)

How many watch hours to monetize YouTube is the first question most creators ask when thinking about turning views into income.

You need to understand the exact requirements, what counts toward them, and how you can track your progress. In this guide, we’ll break everything down step by step so you know exactly what’s expected and how to plan for it.

By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap that makes the whole process feel less confusing and a lot more achievable.

YouTube Monetization Requirements at a Glance

Before you can start earning, YouTube asks you to meet certain thresholds. These requirements come in two stages: early access and full monetization. Let’s make it simple.

Early access unlocks features like fan funding and shopping. You’ll need:

• 500 subscribers

• 3 public uploads in the last 90 days

• Either 3,000 watch hours in the last 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days

Full monetization unlocks ad revenue sharing. You’ll need:

• 1,000 subscribers

• Either 4,000 valid watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days

Here’s a quick table you can save for reference:

These thresholds are your first big milestones. Once you know them, the next step is learning what actually counts toward those hours.

What Counts Toward Public Watch Hours

Not every minute people spend watching your videos goes into your monetization total. YouTube is very specific about what counts, and this is where many new creators get confused.

Counts toward monetization:

• Long-form public videos

• Public live streams that stay up as a video-on-demand replay

Doesn’t count:

• Shorts watch time (separate path)

• Private or unlisted videos

• Views from ads or paid campaigns

• Deleted or removed content

Think of it this way: You need to build genuine watch time from content people can openly find and enjoy. That’s why YouTube calls them public watch hours on YouTube.

Here’s a quick summary table for clarity:

Knowing this upfront saves you from surprises later when your total seems lower than expected.

How to Check Your Watch Hours in YouTube Studio

Once you know the requirements, the next step is tracking your progress. Luckily, YouTube makes this simple with the Earn tab inside YouTube Studio.

Here’s how you can check:

• 1. Log in to YouTube Studio.

• 2. On the left menu, click Earn.

• 3. You’ll see a progress bar showing subscribers, watch hours, or Shorts views.

• 4. The bar updates daily, so you can track where you stand.

Keep in mind that watch hours work on a rolling 12-month window. For example, hours you earned 13 months ago will drop off, which is why your total may decrease from time to time.

Once you reach the thresholds, you can apply for monetization. The review usually takes around a month, though it can be quicker if your channel follows all the rules.

How Many Views Equal 4,000 Watch Hours?

It helps to translate the requirement into real numbers. The big question many ask is: how many hours of watch time to monetize YouTube? The answer is 4,000 valid public hours in the past 12 months. But what does that look like in views?

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• If your average view duration is 3 minutes, you’ll need about 80,000 views.

• If your average view duration is 4 minutes, you’ll need about 60,000 views.

• If your average view duration is 6 minutes, you’ll need about 40,000 views.

This is why creators often focus on making videos that hold attention longer. A video series or tutorials with higher watch times can reduce the number of views you need.

Common Mistakes That Stop Creators From Reaching Monetization

Many creators put in the work but still struggle to hit the threshold. Most of the time, it comes down to simple mistakes. Let’s go over the most common ones so you can avoid them.

• Counting Shorts watch time toward 4,000 hours. Shorts have their own path with the 10 million views rule.

• Uploading unlisted or private videos. Watch time from these doesn’t count toward monetization.

• Depending on ad campaigns. Paid views may grow exposure but won’t add to your hours.

• Ignoring the rolling 12-month window. Hours older than a year drop off, so your total can decrease.

• Overusing repetitive content. In 2025, YouTube tightened rules around mass-produced or “inauthentic” videos, which can slow or even block approval.

Avoiding these pitfalls saves you time and energy. Instead of fixing errors later, you can stay focused on creating videos that genuinely build your hours.

How Many Watch Hours to Monetize YouTube With Shorts

If you prefer short-form videos, YouTube gives you another route into the Partner Program. Instead of focusing on watch hours, you can qualify with 10 million valid Shorts views within 90 days. This means you don’t need to hit the 4,000-hour mark if Shorts are your main style.

A common question is,do YouTube Shorts count towards watch hours? The answer is no. Shorts watch time from the Shorts feed does not count toward the 4,000-hour requirement. It’s a separate metric entirely.

This is why many creators choose a mixed strategy, upload Shorts for reach and exposure while also building longer videos to collect steady watch hours. That way, you cover both paths and give yourself more chances to qualify.

Tips to Reach 4,000 Public Watch Hours Faster

Reaching 4,000 hours may feel overwhelming, but there are smart ways to speed up the process. Let’s go over some practical tips you can apply today.

• Create longer videos that hold attention. A 10–15 minute video can add far more watch time than a quick clip.

• Use playlists. When you organize your videos, people often watch more than one in a row.

• Stream live. Live streams add hours quickly, especially if you keep the replay public.

• Encourage binge-watching. Series content or connected tutorials keep viewers coming back for the next part.

• Promote your videos outside YouTube. Sharing links on social media, forums, or communities can bring in fresh viewers.

If you’re serious about reaching monetization faster and don’t want to wait months, you can buy YouTube watch time from CheapestFollowers. This gives your channel the boost it needs to cross the threshold while you keep growing with your own content. Instead of struggling to get every single hour, you’ll move closer to monetization and unlock those features sooner.

These steps are exactly how to get 4000 watch hours on YouTube without feeling stuck. Pick the ones that fit your channel style and apply them consistently.

What Happens After You Hit the Threshold

Crossing the required hours and subscribers feels amazing, but there are a few important steps that follow.

Once your channel qualifies, YouTube Studio will show a button to apply for the Partner Program. When you apply, YouTube starts a review process that usually takes about a month. During this time, they check:

• If your videos follow community guidelines

• If your content is original and not reused from others

• If you’ve respected copyright rules and ad-friendly policies

When your channel is approved, you unlock powerful features:

• Ad revenue sharing – ads can run before, during, or after your videos

• Channel memberships – fans can pay monthly for perks

• Super Chats and Super Stickers – viewers support you during live streams

• YouTube Shopping tools – sell merch directly on your channel (in supported regions)

If you qualified through the early-access path, you’ll already have fan funding features. Reaching full monetization adds ad revenue, which is where most creators see the biggest jump in earnings.

Conclusion

Reaching monetization on YouTube takes time, but it’s a realistic and achievable goal. You now know exactly how many watch hours to monetize YouTube, what counts toward them, and how to check your progress.

You’ve also seen the difference between the traditional 4,000-hour path and the Shorts route with 10 million views.

The key is staying consistent. Build content that people want to watch, organize it into playlists, and focus on keeping your audience engaged. Every extra minute someone spends on your channel brings you closer to unlocking monetization.

If you stay patient and apply the tips we’ve covered, you’ll hit the threshold and enjoy the rewards that come with it: ad revenue, fan funding, and more ways to grow your channel into something bigger.