YouTube End Screens and Cards
How to add end screens and info cards in YouTube Studio, the limits YouTube publishes, where they don’t appear and how to measure clicks.
In short: end screens appear in the last 5–20 seconds of a video, hold up to 4 elements (video, playlist, subscribe, channel, or a link if you’re in YPP) and need a video of at least 25 seconds. Info cards are teasers you can place at any time, up to 5 per video. Add both in YouTube Studio > Content > Editor. Neither is available on made for kids videos.
Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
End screens vs cards at a glance
Independent guide. Viral In City is an independent social media agency, not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to YouTube or Google. Every rule below comes from YouTube Help, linked so you can check it at the source. Where YouTube doesn’t publish a rule, we say so and label our suggestion.
| End screen | Info cards | |
|---|---|---|
| When it shows | The last 5–20 seconds of a video | At the time you choose, as a teaser |
| How many | Up to 4 elements (16:9 videos; other shapes may allow fewer) | Up to 5 cards per video |
| Minimum video length | 25 seconds | Not stated |
| Can feature | Video, playlist, subscribe, channel, external link (YPP only) | Video, playlist, channel, external link (YPP only) |
| Made for kids videos | Not available | Not available |
| Where to add | YouTube Studio > Content > select video > Editor | |
Sources: Add end screens to videos, Add info cards to videos. Checked 6 October 2026.
How to add an end screen
- Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Content.
- Click the title or thumbnail of the video.
- From the left menu, select Editor, then End screen.
- Choose Apply template or add elements one by one: Video, Playlist, Subscribe, Channel or Link.
- Drag elements into place and adjust their timing on the timeline.
- Click Save.
You can also add end screens while uploading (Add end screens to videos). Card teasers and watermarks are hidden while the end screen shows.
What an end screen can show
- Video: your most recent upload, a video YouTube picks as “best for viewer”, or any public or unlisted video or playlist, from your channel or another.
- Playlist: a public playlist.
- Subscribe: a subscribe button for your channel.
- Channel: promote another channel with a custom message.
- Link: an external website, only if you’re in the YouTube Partner Program. The site must follow YouTube’s policies; violations can lead to link removal, strikes or termination.
YouTube recommends custom images of at least 300 × 300 px, and leaving space in the last 20 seconds of the edit so elements don’t cover anything important (Add end screens to videos).
Where end screens don’t appear
YouTube Help lists these exceptions (Add end screens to videos):
- Videos shorter than 25 seconds.
- Videos set as made for kids, even if you added an end screen earlier.
- Mobile web (except iPad mobile web), the YouTube Music and YouTube Kids apps, Flash videos and 360° videos.
- Viewers can choose to hide end screens.
YouTube also says end screens may not always show, or may look different from your design, because it adjusts them based on performance, device and context. Design for that: one strong element beats four crowded ones.
How to add info cards
- In YouTube Studio, open the video from Content and select Editor.
- Select Info cards and choose a card: Video, Playlist, Channel or Link (Link requires YPP).
- Set the start time below the video.
- Add an optional message and teaser text (required for channel cards).
- Click Save. You can add up to 5 cards per video (Add info cards to videos).
Viewers see a short teaser at the time you set, and can open cards from the card icon. YouTube Help notes that cards are also shown below the description, that cards won’t show if a Content ID claimant has set up a campaign on the video, and that cards aren’t shown on made for kids videos.
Timing and design tips
- Plan the last 20 seconds in the edit: a simple background, your face or a b-roll loop, not key information.
- Say it out loud: “Watch this next” works better when you point to the element.
- Link the logical next video, not just the newest one.
- Use cards at the moment you mention something, for example “I covered lighting in another video”.
- Don’t stack cards early: sending viewers away in the first minute can cut watch time on this video.
- Stagger end screen elements so they don’t all appear at once; YouTube Help suggests timing elements differently.
These are our suggestions; the rules are in the sections above.
Measure what works
YouTube Analytics shows end screen performance on the Engagement tab (Add end screens to videos):
- End screen element click rate for a single video.
- Top end screen element types and Top videos by end screen for the whole channel.
Compare element types for a month, then keep what gets clicked. For the bigger picture, read how to get more YouTube subscribers.
End screen and card checklist
- Video is at least 25 seconds long and not made for kids.
- Last 5–20 seconds planned for the end screen.
- One “watch next” video or playlist plus a subscribe element.
- Cards placed where you mention related videos (up to 5).
- External links only if you’re in YPP, and only to sites that follow YouTube’s policies.
- Chapters in the description: see how to add chapters.
Want every upload set up properly?
We add end screens, cards, chapters and descriptions to every video as part of monthly YouTube management. Start with a free social media audit or ask for a custom quote. If you prefer chat, message us on WhatsApp at +91 8827409728. See our YouTube management service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a YouTube end screen?
End screens can be added to the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video, according to YouTube Help.
How many elements can an end screen have?
Up to four for standard 16:9 videos. YouTube says other aspect ratios may have a lower limit.
Why can’t I add an end screen?
The video must be at least 25 seconds long, and end screens aren’t available on videos set as made for kids.
How many cards can I add to a YouTube video?
Up to 5 info cards per video.
Can I link to my website in an end screen or card?
Only if you’re in the YouTube Partner Program, and the site must follow YouTube’s policies.
Do end screens show on mobile?
Yes in the YouTube app, but not on mobile web (except iPad mobile web), and not in the YouTube Music or YouTube Kids apps.
Can viewers hide end screens?
Yes. YouTube says viewers have the option to hide end screens.
Where do I see end screen clicks?
In YouTube Analytics on the Engagement tab: End screen element click rate for a video, and Top end screen element types for the channel.
Sources
Sources checked on 6 October 2026.
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