Creating a playlist takes three steps on any device

A playlist is a list of videos you save together under one name. You can create one from your YouTube homepage, from any video page, or from your library. The fastest way is to start from a video you want in the playlist: click the Save button (it looks like a plus sign or bookmark), select Create new playlist, give it a name, and choose who can see it. YouTube then saves that video to the new playlist and you can add more videos to it anytime.

The process is the same whether you use YouTube on a computer, phone, or tablet. The button locations change slightly between devices, but the steps stay identical. Once you create a playlist, it appears in your library under the Playlists section, and you can edit it, add videos, remove videos, or change who can view it whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a playlist by clicking Save on any video, selecting Create new playlist, naming it, and choosing a privacy setting (private, unlisted, or public).
  • Private playlists are visible only to you; unlisted playlists can be viewed by anyone with the link; public playlists appear in your channel and in YouTube search.
  • After you create a playlist, you can add more videos by clicking Save on any video and selecting the playlist name from the dropdown menu.
  • You can reorder videos in a playlist, remove videos, or delete the entire playlist from your library at any time.

Creating a playlist on a computer

Open YouTube and find any video you want to save. Below the video title, click the Save button. A dropdown menu appears with the option Create new playlist at the top. Click it.

A small window opens asking for a playlist name and a privacy setting. Type a name in the text box — something like "Cooking Videos" or "Workout Routines" works well. Then choose your privacy level: Private means only you can see it; Unlisted means anyone with the link can view it but it won't show up in search or on your channel; Public means it appears on your channel and in YouTube search results. Click Create. YouTube saves the current video to your new playlist and closes the window.

Creating a playlist on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app and find a video you want to save. Tap the three dots (menu icon) below or next to the video title. A menu slides up with several options. Tap Save to playlist.

A list of your existing playlists appears. At the top, tap Create new playlist. A screen opens asking for a name and privacy setting. Type your playlist name, choose whether it should be private, unlisted, or public, then tap Create. The video is now saved to your new playlist.

Adding more videos to your playlist

Once you have created a playlist, adding videos to it is quick. Find any video you want to add, click or tap the Save button, and a dropdown menu shows all your playlists. Click or tap the name of the playlist you want to add the video to. YouTube adds it to the end of that playlist without opening any new windows.

You can add the same video to multiple playlists. You can also add videos from search results, recommendations, or any channel without opening the full video page — the Save button works the same way everywhere on YouTube.

Managing your playlist after you create it

To view your playlist, go to your library (click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Your channel on a computer, or tap your profile picture and then Your channel on a phone). Scroll down to Playlists and click or tap the playlist name. The playlist opens and shows all the videos you saved to it in the order you added them.

To reorder videos, open the playlist and click or tap the three dots next to any video title. Select Move up or Move down to change its position. To remove a video from the playlist, click or tap the three dots and select Remove from playlist. The video stays on YouTube — it only leaves this particular list. To delete the entire playlist, open it and click or tap the three dots next to the playlist title at the top, then select Delete playlist.

Changing privacy settings after creation

You can change who can see your playlist anytime after you create it. Open the playlist, click or tap the three dots next to the playlist title, and select Edit playlist. A window or screen opens showing the current privacy setting. Click or tap the dropdown menu and choose Private, Unlisted, or Public. Click or tap Save. The change takes effect when ready.

If you change a playlist from public to private, it disappears from your channel and from search results, but the videos stay in the playlist. If you change it from private to public, it becomes visible on your channel and searchable. You can switch between these settings as many times as you want.

Sharing your playlist with others

If your playlist is unlisted or public, you can share it with other people. Open the playlist and look for the Share button near the top. Click or tap it and YouTube generates a link you can copy. Send this link to anyone you want to view the playlist. People who receive an unlisted playlist link can watch all the videos in it, but they won't see it listed on your channel unless they have the link.

If your playlist is public, people can also find it by searching your channel or by searching YouTube itself. Public playlists appear on your channel page under the Playlists tab, so anyone visiting your channel can see them and watch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add videos to a playlist without creating a new one?

Yes. Click or tap Save on any video, and a dropdown menu shows all your existing playlists. Select the one you want to add the video to. You only need to create a new playlist the first time you want to save videos to a particular list.

What happens to videos in a playlist if the original video is deleted?

If the creator deletes a video from YouTube, it disappears from your playlist too. The spot where it was remains empty or the playlist straightforward shows one fewer video. Deleted videos cannot be watched through your playlist.

Can other people edit my playlist if I share it with them?

No. Only you can add, remove, or reorder videos in your playlist. When you share a playlist link with someone, they can only watch the videos — they cannot make changes to it. Each person's playlists are separate and private to them.

How many videos can I add to one playlist?

YouTube does not publish a hard limit on playlist size. In practice, you can add hundreds or thousands of videos to a single playlist. Very large playlists may load more slowly, but they function the same way.

Can I read a playlist to watch offline?

YouTube Premium members can read individual videos to watch offline, but you cannot read an entire playlist at once. You would need to read each video separately through the YouTube app on a phone or tablet.