YouTube Shorts Maker | Free & Fast AI Video Editor

How to create YouTube Shorts

01
Upload your video
Drag your video into a new Descript project or paste a YouTube link. You can also record a fresh clip to form your Short.
02
Create your YouTube Shorts
Descript turns your video into a text transcript for easy edits. Highlight key moments to form Shorts, or let AI detect perfect clips. Duplicate them into new compositions and shape your style or format.
03
Polish and publish directly to YouTube
Refine your Short with captions, animations like progress bars, or quick trims. Once complete, publish it to YouTube with one click.

Better workflow for YouTube Shorts

Create YouTube Shorts faster
Features like flexible compositions, time-saving templates, and Descript’s AI streamline any short maker approach. The original footage remains untouched, so you can make as many Shorts as you want.
Everything in one place
Use a single panel for all your YouTube videos—short or long. Manage editing, titles, and descriptions in one app. No extra tools needed for your Shorts. When you’re done, export them to TikTok, Instagram Reels, or anywhere else.
Keep viewers engaged
Use animated text and word-by-word captions that pop on screen. Descript also removes filler content for snappier timing.

More than just a YouTube Shorts maker

Descript is an AI-based audio and video editor that treats podcasts and videos like text, making it simple to create content for any short maker workflow.

Social clips
Our AI-driven clip finder points out the best parts of your video for easy Shorts.
Templates
Generate polished YouTube Shorts with custom templates that streamline your workflow.
Stock media library
Tap into a library of free assets to enhance your Shorts with visuals and sound.
Social post writer
Use AI to craft engaging captions and descriptions that grab attention for your YouTube Shorts.

Don’t just take our word for it

With a 4.6-out-of-5-star rating and a bunch of distinctions on G2, Descript’s users have declared it an industry standard in the video and podcasting world.

2025

Best Software

Video Editing

Text to Speech

Screen and Video Capture

“With Descript I'll be able to at least double my content output since editing is taking one-quarter the time it used to.”

Donna B.

“With Descript we can create videos for our YouTube channel and our LinkedIn page much faster and with high quality.”

Balázs N.

“Descript has made cleaning up and creating my educational videos into professional presentations [possible] without needing extensive technical computer skills.”

Barbara C.

“Descript makes recording and editing audio and video a breeze. It's advanced features have streamlined my workflows, saving me a lot of time usually spent editing.”

Roderick F.

“The collaborative tools streamline teamwork, allowing my team and me to work efficiently together on projects. Overall, Descript enhances productivity and simplifies the editing process.”

Aldrich M.

“Transcription based editing makes the process much faster…All in all, a must have editor for most audiences, especially in SaaS marketing.”

Nidhin M.

Surely there’s one for you

Free

no credit card required

Start your journey with text-based editing

Get started

1 transcription hour / month

Export 720p, with watermarks

Limited trial of Basic AI Actions

Limited trial of AI Speech

Hobbyist

$16

per person / month, billed annually

Elevate your projects, watermark-free

Get started

10 transcription hours / month

Export 1080p, watermark-free

20 uses / month of Basic AI Actions suite including Filler Word Removal, Studio Sound, Draft Show Notes, Create Clips, and more

30 minutes / month of AI speech with stock AI speakers and custom voice clones

5 minutes / month of avatars

Questions? Get the answers

Which AI option is best for YouTube Shorts?
Descript is a capable AI choice for YouTube Shorts. It transcribes your clips, generates captions automatically, and removes filler words for tighter pacing. Other AI-based YouTube short maker tools can feel repetitive, but Descript gives you plenty of freedom in every step.
Can I publish YouTube Shorts using Descript?
Yes, you can upload under-60-second vertical videos with #Shorts in the title or description, and YouTube will classify it as a Short. Connect your Descript project to your channel, then click Publish. If your content meets these criteria, YouTube typically treats it as a Short.
How do I make Shorts from existing videos?
Descript helps you turn existing videos into YouTube Shorts. Simply crop or rotate to a 9:16 ratio, add captions, and trim it under 60 seconds. If you prefer quick results, let AI do the repurposing automatically.
What are YouTube Shorts upload requirements?
Videos must be under 60 seconds and use a vertical or square layout (ideally 9:16). Also ensure you have #Shorts in the title or description to help YouTube identify the content.