Finding YouTube videos of a specific length can be frustrating. Whether you’re looking for a quick tutorial, a short clip, or a full-length video, knowing how to search by length can save you time.
In this tutorial, I will share three simple methods to find YouTube videos by specific length. In the first method, we will use YouTube’s official API to search for and find videos of a specific duration.
The best part is you don’t have to write a single line of code. All you have to do is configure it for the first time and then use it anytime you want to find videos of an exact length.
The second method will use YouTube’s default search parameters to help you find videos of a specific length or duration on any browser. In the final method, we will go over the steps to accomplish the same task on an Android or iOS device.
Let’s jump into it!
Method 1: Using YouTube API to Find Videos of Specific Length
This Python script has some great features for finding YouTube videos by length. It uses the YouTube Data API, so you can search for videos of any specific length, like 5 minutes and 43 seconds or 1 hour and 23 seconds.
It runs in Google Colab, which means you don’t need to install anything. You just run the script in your browser, input your search term, and set the exact duration you’re looking for. The script does the rest, finding videos that match your criteria.
You can also customize it to pull more results or adjust the way data is shown. It’s simple, flexible, and perfect for finding videos that fit your exact needs.
Let’s now see the exact steps to accomplish our goal to find YT videos of specific duration.
Step 1: Create a New Google Cloud Project
Go to the Google Cloud Console. Click on “Select a project” and then “New Project“.
Enter a name for your project (e.g., “YouTube Video Search”) and click “Create“.
Step 2: Enable YouTube API
Once your project is created, go to the API & Services dashboard. Click on “Enable APIs and Services“.
Search for “YouTube Data API v3” and click on it.
Now, click “Enable” to enable the API for your project.
Step 3: Add Your API Key in the Code
Navigate to “Credentials” in the API & Services section.
Click “Create Credentials” and select “API key“.
Copy your API key and keep it secure.
Note: Be careful not to share your API key publicly or expose it in shared code repositories, as it can be used by others and may lead to usage limits or costs.
Step 4: Running the Python script in Google Colab to find YouTube videos of specific duration
Open this Google Colab Notebook and sign in to your Google account. Now, add the API key generated in the previous step in the Python script here:
# Use the provided API key
API_KEY = ""
# Get user input
query = input("Enter the search term: ").strip()
hours = int(input("Enter hours (0 if none): ").strip())
minutes = int(input("Enter minutes (0 if none): ").strip())
seconds = int(input("Enter seconds (0 if none): ").strip())
Here’s the screenshot for your reference:
After adding the API key, execute the Python script by clicking on the tiny Run Cell button.
Now, the script will ask for search term and duration of the video in hours, minutes, and seconds.
After you have specified these parameters, Python script will use the YouTube API to find videos as per your search term and duration.
If it founds a video or videos of specific duration, it will display the YouTube video title, duration, and URL in the output cell, as shown below.
Now, enjoy the video by simply clicking on it.
Method 2: How to Find YouTube Videos By Length On Any Browser
In this method, we will simply use the default search filters provided by the YouTube website to filter video results based on their length.
Follow these steps to filter YouTube videos by length on any browser:
1. Open YouTube in your browser.
2. Search for any video on YouTube.
3. Now, click on the “Filters” option at the top-right of the results page.
4. Now, you will see the Filters dialog box.
5. Select any duration to filter YouTube videos on the search results page.
6. After you select a Duration filter, YouTube will show videos of that specific length only in the search results, as shown below.
7. To edit or remove the Duration search filter, click the “Filters” option again. After that, choose any other duration or remove the existing one by clicking the “X” button.
Congrats! You have now successfully filtered YouTube videos by length.
Method 3: How To Search YouTube Videos By Length on Android or iOS App
If you are looking for a way to find YT videos based on their duration on any smartphone, then follow these steps:
1. Open the YouTube app on your phone.
2. Tap on the “search” button to find videos.
3. Now, tap the “three-dots” button at the top-right.
4. Choose the “Search filters” option.
5. Next, tap “Any” next to the “Duration” option.
6. Now, you can choose the duration for which you want to search the YouTube videos.
There are four options:
- Any: Get videos of any duration on the search results page.
- Under 4 minutes: Get videos shorter than 4 minutes on the search results page.
- 4-20 minutes: Get videos between 4 to 20 minutes in length on the search results page.
- Over 20 minutes: Get videos that are over 20 minutes in length on the search results page.
7. After selecting the duration, tap the “Apply” button, and the YouTube app will show only videos of that specific duration.
As I choose the “4-20 minutes” option, YouTube only shows videos of this specific duration. You can follow the same steps to find YouTube videos of specific length.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you search YouTube videos by length?
To search YouTube videos by length, go to the search bar, type “video length” followed by your desired duration (e.g., “10 minutes”), and press enter.
2. How do I search for a video by duration?
To search for a video by duration, enter specific time constraints (e.g., “10 minutes”) in the search bar filters on the video platform of your choice.
3. How do I filter Google video searches by length?
To filter Google video searches by length, click “Tools” below the search bar, then select “Duration” and choose the desired duration option (e.g., “Short” or “Long”).
4. Is there a way to search within a YouTube video?
No, YouTube does not provide a native feature for searching within a video. Users can only search for videos using the search bar.
5. How do I sort YouTube by length by watch later?
To sort YouTube by length in Watch Later, click “Sort by” below the video grid, select “Duration,” and videos will be arranged from shortest to longest.
Wrapping Up
Finding YouTube videos by specific length doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re using YouTube’s built-in filters, searching through your browser, or running a Python script in Google Colab, you now have the tools to get precise results.
The first method, using a Python script, gives you more control and flexibility to find videos of any exact length you need.
The second and third method lets you use YouTube’s default search filters to find videos within pre-set time ranges.
No matter which method you choose, you can save time and find the content that fits your needs without any extra apps or complicated setups.
