YouTube
How to Make a YouTube End Screen People Actually Click
End screen rules (5–20 seconds, up to 4 elements), layouts that work, how to design the background, what to say in the last 20 seconds and why people don’t click.
By The Mocknex team · Published · 7 min read
An end screen is the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video where YouTube lets you place clickable thumbnails, a subscribe button and links. It’s the cheapest way to turn one view into two — but only if the viewer is still watching, can see where to click, and has a reason to. Most end screens fail on the last part. This guide covers the technical rules, layouts that work, and what to actually say while the end screen is on.
The rules YouTube enforces
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | The end screen can last 5 to 20 seconds, at the very end of the video |
| Minimum video length | The video must be at least 25 seconds long |
| Number of elements | Up to 4 on a 16:9 video |
| Required element | At least one must be a video or a playlist |
| External links | Only for channels in the YouTube Partner Program, and only to eligible sites |
| Not available on | Videos set as made for kids, mobile web, 360° videos and the YouTube Music app |
The elements you can add
- Video — your most recent upload, the one YouTube thinks is best for that viewer, or a specific video you choose.
- Playlist — useful for series, because one click leads to a whole sequence.
- Subscribe — shows your profile picture; clicking it opens a subscribe prompt.
- Channel — promote another channel, such as a collaborator’s or your second channel.
- Link — an approved external site, merch store or crowdfunding page (Partner Program only).
For most videos, the strongest combination is one specific video that continues the topic, one “best for viewer” video, and the subscribe button.
Three layouts that work
| Layout | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Two videos + subscribe | Most uploads | Two choices without overwhelming; subscribe in the middle catches people who liked you but not the topic |
| One big video + subscribe | Series, tutorials with a clear next step | One obvious next click; a bigger thumbnail is easier to hit on a phone |
| Playlist + subscribe | Multi-part series | One click starts the whole series in order |
Element sizes are flexible in YouTube Studio, so you can make a single “watch next” video much larger than the default. On phones, end screen elements are small — bigger targets get more clicks.
Designing the background
The background is part of your video file. Make it at the same size as your video (1920×1080 for a 1080p upload) and leave clear, empty spaces where the elements will go. A good background:
- Matches your channel’s colours so it feels like part of the video, not an advert.
- Has one short instruction near the top, such as “Watch this next” or “Part 2 →”.
- Leaves the element spaces plain — YouTube’s thumbnails will sit there, so busy detail underneath only competes with them.
- Optionally shows you pointing at the video element. A person pointing draws the eye better than any arrow.
The end screen maker works this way: drag the placeholders to where you’ll put the elements, resize them, and drop a real thumbnail and your channel icon onto them to see the finished screen. Download the background with the placeholders left out for your edit, or with them included as a preview for a client or collaborator.
What to say in the last 20 seconds
The end screen doesn’t work on its own. The single biggest improvement is to tell people why to click the next video, out loud, while it’s on screen. Compare:
| Weak | Stronger |
|---|---|
| “Thanks for watching, see you next time.” | “If the roof scared you, the next video is where it all went wrong — it’s right here.” |
| “Check out my other videos.” | “This one shows the exact budget breakdown I promised at the start.” |
| “Don’t forget to subscribe!” | “I’m building the sauna next week — subscribe if you want to see whether it works.” |
Start this a few seconds before the elements appear. If your outro is a long goodbye, many viewers leave before the end screen even starts — YouTube’s retention graph shows you where they drop.
Adding it in YouTube Studio
- Upload the video with the end screen background in its final 5–20 seconds.
- In the upload flow (or later in the video’s details), open End screen.
- Pick a template or add elements one by one, then drag them onto the spaces you left in the background.
- Set when each element appears; staggering them by a second can draw the eye.
- Use Import from video to reuse the same setup next time, then just swap the specific video.
Why people don’t click
- Nobody is left. The outro is too long, so viewers leave before it starts. Shorten the goodbye.
- No reason given. A random recent upload with no context is easy to ignore.
- Elements over important visuals. If the end screen covers your face or text, it feels cluttered and broken.
- Too many choices. Four elements of equal size split attention. One clear option usually beats four.
FAQ
What size should a YouTube end screen be?
The same as your video — 1920×1080 for 1080p. The end screen is part of the video, and YouTube’s elements sit on top of it.
How long is a YouTube end screen?
5 to 20 seconds, at the end of a video that is at least 25 seconds long.
Why can’t I add an end screen?
Check that the video is at least 25 seconds long and isn’t set as made for kids. External link elements also require the YouTube Partner Program.
Do end screens work on Shorts?
No. Shorts don’t support end screens; you can link a Short to a related long video instead.