How Many Subscribers to Make Money on YouTube in 2026
Published on 10.02.2026 by TF
If you have ever wondered how many subscribers you need to start earning on YouTube, the short answer is 1,000. That is the minimum threshold set by the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), and it unlocks your ability to earn ad revenue from videos. But hitting that number alone will not guarantee a full-time income. Your actual earnings depend on watch hours, niche, audience location, and how you diversify your revenue streams. In this guide, we break down exactly what it takes to turn your subscriber count into real money on YouTube in 2026.
YouTube Partner Program Requirements in 2026
Before you can earn a single dollar from ads, you need to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program. In 2026, YouTube requires creators to have at least 1,000 subscribers paired with either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. On top of that, your channel must have no active Community Guidelines strikes, two-step verification enabled, and a linked Google AdSense account.
There is also an early access tier. Creators with just 500 subscribers, three public uploads in the last 90 days, and 3,000 watch hours (or 3 million Shorts views) can unlock fan-funding features like Super Chats and channel memberships. However, full ad revenue only kicks in once you reach the 1,000-subscriber mark. Meeting these benchmarks is step one, but YouTube also reviews your content for originality and advertiser friendliness before granting approval.
How Much Money Can You Actually Earn?
Reaching 1,000 subscribers is a milestone, but the income at that level can be modest. Most creators at the minimum threshold report earning anywhere from a few dollars to around $60 per month, depending on their views and niche. YouTube pays creators an average of $2 to $12 per 1,000 views, with high-value niches like finance and technology earning RPMs (revenue per mille) of $12 to $20 or more.
Channels with around 10,000 subscribers and a consistent upload schedule often earn between $500 and $1,000 per month. For one million views, creators typically take home $1,000 to $20,000, depending on their audience geography and content category. The key takeaway is that subscriber count opens the door, but views, engagement, and niche selection determine how much money actually flows in.
Beyond Ad Revenue: Other Ways to Monetize
Relying on ads alone is not the most effective strategy, especially for smaller channels. Sponsorship deals can be far more lucrative. Creators with 10,000 to 25,000 average views per video can land brand deals worth $300 to $1,000 per placement. As your channel grows, those numbers scale significantly, with creators averaging 100,000 to 500,000 views per video earning $5,000 to $15,000 per sponsorship.
Other revenue options include affiliate marketing, selling digital products, and fan-funding through platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee. YouTube itself offers Super Chats during live streams and channel memberships for recurring support from loyal viewers. Smart creators stack multiple income streams rather than depending solely on AdSense, which allows even channels with modest subscriber counts to build sustainable income.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does YouTube pay for 1,000 subscribers?
YouTube does not pay based on subscribers directly. Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and meet watch hour requirements, you unlock ad revenue. Earnings vary widely based on views and niche, ranging from a few dollars to several hundred per month. Most small creators at this level earn between $10 and $100 monthly from ads alone.
Can you make money on YouTube with 500 subscribers?
Yes, but only through fan-funding features. YouTube's early access tier lets creators with 500 subscribers, three recent uploads, and 3,000 watch hours access Super Chats, Super Thanks, and channel memberships. Full ad revenue, however, requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.
How many views do you need to make $2,000 a month on YouTube?
It depends on your RPM. With an average RPM of $5, you would need approximately 400,000 monthly views. In higher-paying niches like finance or tech, where RPMs reach $10 to $20, you might only need 100,000 to 200,000 views to hit that target