Shorts vs Long-Form RPM Calculator

Stop letting vanity metrics fool you. Calculate exactly how many millions of Shorts views you need to replace a decent Long-Form video.

Revenue per 1,000 views on normal videos (Usually $3 - $10).
Revenue per 1,000 views on Shorts (Usually $0.04 - $0.08).
The Value Ratio
1 : 75.0

You need 75.0 Shorts views to equal the revenue of just 1 Long-Form view.

Long-Form Views Needed for Goal2,22,222 views
Shorts Views Needed for Goal1,66,66,667 views
The Verdict: While Shorts are easier to produce and get more views, you have to go viral constantly to make a living wage solely from the Shorts feed. Long-form builds deeper connections and pays significantly better.

The Truth About YouTube Shorts Revenue

In early 2023, YouTube started sharing AdSense revenue with Shorts creators. However, the payouts were a massive shock to the system. Creators getting millions of views were making pocket change.

Why is the Shorts RPM so Low?

RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is the amount you get paid per 1,000 views. On a standard long-form video (8+ minutes), YouTube can show a pre-roll ad, two mid-roll ads, and a post-roll ad. That's 4 ads for 1 view.

In the Shorts feed, a user might swipe through 10 different videos before they see a single ad. YouTube then takes the revenue from that one ad and splits it among the creators of the 10 videos the user just watched (based on watch time), and then takes their 45% cut.

Because of this math, a typical Shorts RPM is between $0.04 and $0.08. A typical Long-Form RPM is between $3.00 and $8.00.

The Conversion Rate Problem

Some creators argue, "But I get 100x more views on Shorts, so it balances out!"

It rarely does. More importantly, Shorts viewers do not convert. If you are trying to sell merchandise, an online course, or drive traffic to affiliate links, long-form video builds a parasocial relationship and trust. A 15-second Short is treated like disposable dopamine.

Use Shorts for top-of-funnel discovery, but force your audience into your Long-Form content if you want to actually monetize them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Shorts vs Long-Form RPM?

The Shorts vs Long-Form RPM is a free online tool designed to help you compare youtube shorts ad revenue against traditional long-form videos.

How much does the Shorts vs Long-Form RPM cost?

Our Shorts vs Long-Form RPM is 100% free to use. We do not require any signups, subscriptions, or credit cards.

Is my data safe when using this tool?

Yes. All calculations are performed locally in your web browser. We do not store or save your financial data or inputs on our servers.