How Many Subscribers on YouTube to Get Paid in 2026
Published on 31.03.2026 by TF
If creators want to know how many subscribers on YouTube to get paid, the clearest answer is this: for ad revenue, YouTube currently requires 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. There is also an earlier entry point at 500 subscribers for some fan funding and shopping features, but that does not fully unlock ad revenue.
Importance of Subscriber Count
Subscriber count matters because it signals audience trust, repeat interest, and channel growth. It is one of the first milestones creators focus on when asking how many subscribers on YouTube to get paid. Still, subscribers alone are not enough. YouTube also measures watch hours or Shorts performance, and every channel goes through a review process before approval. That means even a channel that hits the number target still needs policy-compliant content and consistent public activity.
The YouTube Partner Program
The YouTube Partner Program is YouTube’s official monetization system. It is designed to reward channels that meet performance benchmarks and follow platform rules. Today, YPP has two practical levels. The first gives smaller creators earlier access to select monetization tools. The second unlocks revenue sharing from ads and YouTube Premium, which is what most people mean when they ask how many subscribers to get paid on YouTube.
Requirements for Joining
To access the earlier YPP level, creators generally need 500 subscribers, 3 valid public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 3 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. To unlock ad revenue, creators need 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 valid public watch hours or 10 million valid public Shorts views.
How Many Subscribers You Need to Get Paid on YouTube
The most accurate answer to how many subscribers on YouTube to get paid is 1,000 subscribers if the goal is ad revenue. That is the threshold most articles and creators refer to. However, creators can enter the program earlier at 500 subscribers for limited features. So the full answer depends on what “get paid” means. If it means ad revenue from videos and YouTube Premium sharing, the target is 1,000. If it means gaining access to some monetization tools earlier, 500 may be enough in supported situations.
Breaking Down the 1,000 Subscriber Threshold
The 1,000 subscriber threshold matters because it is tied to the main revenue-sharing stage of YPP. Still, creators should not think of it as a standalone finish line. A channel also needs either long-form watch hours or Shorts traction. This is why questions like how many views and subscribers to get paid on YouTube are more accurate than asking only about subscribers. The subscriber requirement is fixed, but the second requirement can be reached through either long-form content or Shorts strategy.
Understanding Related Metrics
There is no required number of likes for monetization. So when people ask how many likes and subscribers to get paid on YouTube, the answer is that likes can help engagement and discovery, but YouTube does not list likes as a formal YPP threshold. The real required metrics are subscribers, watch hours, Shorts views, recent public uploads for early access, and compliance with channel monetization policies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Many Subscribers on YouTube to Get Paid?
For full ad revenue, 1,000 subscribers plus the required watch hours or Shorts views.
How Many Subscribers Do I Need to Get Paid on YouTube?
For limited YPP features, 500 subscribers may qualify. For ad revenue, 1,000 subscribers are required.