Delete a playlist you created in three steps

To delete a playlist you made, go to your YouTube channel, find the playlist in your library, and select the delete option from the menu. YouTube removes the playlist itself but keeps all the videos in your account — deleting a playlist does not delete the videos inside it. The process takes less than a minute and cannot be undone, so make sure you want the playlist gone before you confirm.

If you cannot find your playlists, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select "Create a new playlist" or "Your channel," then look for the "Playlists" tab. From there you can see every playlist you own and manage them one at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a playlist removes only the playlist itself, not the videos stored inside it — those stay in your account.
  • You can delete a playlist from your channel's Playlists tab by clicking the three-dot menu next to the playlist name and selecting delete.
  • Deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed, so confirm you no longer want the playlist before you proceed.
  • Videos you added to a deleted playlist remain in your library and can be organized into a new playlist at any time.

Where to find the delete option on desktop

Open YouTube and sign into your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Your channel." On your channel page, click the "Playlists" tab to see all the playlists you have created.

Find the playlist you want to delete and hover your mouse over it. A three-dot menu icon will appear in the top right corner of the playlist card. Click that menu and select "Delete playlist" from the options that appear. A confirmation window will ask if you are sure — click "Delete" again to remove the playlist permanently.

How to delete a playlist on the YouTube mobile app

Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet and tap your profile picture at the top right. Select "Your channel," then tap the "Playlists" tab. Scroll through your playlists until you find the one you want to remove.

Tap the three-dot menu icon on the playlist card. Select "Delete playlist" from the menu. The app will ask you to confirm — tap "Delete" to finish. The playlist disappears from your account when ready, though the videos themselves remain accessible in your library.

What happens to videos after you delete a playlist

When you delete a playlist, the videos inside stay exactly where they are. If the videos were originally uploaded to your channel, they remain on your channel. If you added videos from other creators to the playlist, those videos stay on their original channels and in your watch history.

You can create a new playlist at any time and add those same videos back into it. There is no time limit — you can reorganize your videos into different playlists whenever you want. The only thing that disappears is the playlist structure itself and any name or description you gave it.

Difference between deleting and making a playlist private

Deleting a playlist removes it completely from your account. Making a playlist private keeps it in your account but hides it from other people — only you can see it. If you think you might want the playlist back later, making it private is safer than deleting it.

To make a playlist private instead of deleting it, click the three-dot menu next to the playlist name and select "Edit playlist." Change the privacy setting from "Public" or "Unlisted" to "Private," then save. The playlist stays in your library but no one else can find or view it.

Removing individual videos from a playlist without deleting it

If you only want to remove certain videos from a playlist rather than delete the whole thing, open the playlist and click the three-dot menu next to each video you want to remove. Select "Remove from playlist." The video disappears from that playlist but stays in your account and on the original creator's channel.

You can remove videos one at a time or go through the entire playlist and clean it up. This is useful when you want to keep a playlist but update what is in it. The playlist itself remains in your account with whatever videos you leave inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a deleted playlist back?

No. Once you delete a playlist, it is gone permanently and cannot be recovered. YouTube does not keep a backup or trash folder for deleted playlists. If you think you might want it later, make it private instead of deleting it.

Will deleting a playlist delete the videos in it?

No. Deleting a playlist only removes the playlist itself. All the videos stay in your account or on their original channels. You can add them to a new playlist whenever you want.

Can I delete someone else's playlist?

No. You can only delete playlists you created. If someone else created a playlist and shared it with you, you cannot delete it — you can only remove yourself from viewing it or stop following it.

What if I delete a playlist by accident?

YouTube does not have an undo button for deleted playlists. However, the videos are still in your account. You can create a new playlist with the same name and add the videos back into it if you remember what was in the original.

Does deleting a playlist affect my watch history?

No. Your watch history is separate from your playlists. Deleting a playlist does not change what videos you have watched or remove anything from your history.