US Trends

how to slow down youtube shorts

YouTube Shorts can be slowed down using the built‑in playback speed controls, but the trick is that you usually need to watch the Short from your “Liked videos” playlist instead of the main Shorts feed, because the speed option isn’t always visible in the feed itself.

On Android / iPhone (Mobile App)

Here’s how to slow down a YouTube Short on your phone:

  1. Open the Short
    Scroll through the Shorts feed and tap on the Short you want to watch.
  1. Like the video
    Tap the thumbs‑up (like) button so it turns blue.
  1. Go to Liked videos
    • Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
    • Tap “Liked videos” (or “Library” → “Liked videos”).
  1. Open the Short again
    Find the Short in your Liked videos list and tap it to play it again.
  1. Change playback speed
    • While the Short is playing, tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top right corner.
    • Tap “Playback speed”.
    • Choose a slower speed like 0.75x , 0.5x , or even 0.25x.

Now the Short will play at that slower speed, making it easier to follow fast actions, dance moves, or quick explanations.

On PC / Laptop (Browser)

On a computer, the process is simpler because the speed control is always visible:

  1. Open the Short
    Go to YouTube in your browser and open the Short you want to slow down.
  1. Click the gear icon
    While the Short is playing, click the gear icon (⚙️) in the bottom‑right corner of the video player.
  1. Select playback speed
    Choose “Playback speed” and pick a slower option like 0.75x , 0.5x , or 0.25x.

The Short will now play at that slower speed in your browser.

Why the “Like + Library” Trick?

YouTube’s Shorts feed is designed for quick, full‑screen scrolling, so many controls (including playback speed) are hidden by default to keep the interface clean. By moving the Short into your Liked videos and playing it there, YouTube treats it more like a regular video, so the full playback controls (including speed) become available.

Alternative: Use a Browser Extension

If you’re on a computer and want more control (like speeds between the standard options), you can install a YouTube speed control extension:

  • Extensions like “Video Speed Controller” (for Chrome/Edge) let you:
    • Set any speed (e.g., 0.6x, 0.9x).
    • Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up/down on the fly.
    • Apply custom speeds to Shorts and regular videos.

Just search for “YouTube playback speed extension” in your browser’s extension store and install a well‑rated one.

Quick Tips

  • Pause and rewind – If you just need to see a moment again, tap the screen to pause and drag the progress bar back.
  • Look for longer Shorts – Some creators make Shorts that are closer to 60 seconds; these often feel less rushed than very short clips.
  • Use headphones – Slowing down audio can make fast speech easier to understand, especially for tutorials or language content.

Bottom line: To slow down YouTube Shorts, like the Short, then open it again from your Liked videos (mobile) or use the gear icon in the player (PC), and choose a slower playback speed like 0.5x or 0.25x.