Creating a YouTube playlist takes three steps: sign in, click the menu next to any video, and choose "Add to playlist"

A YouTube playlist is a collection of videos you save in one place so you can watch them in order without searching each time. You create one by signing into your YouTube account, finding a video you want to save, clicking the three-dot menu below the video title, and selecting "Add to playlist." YouTube then asks whether you want to add it to an existing playlist or create a new one. If you choose new, you name it and decide whether it stays private (only you see it) or public (anyone with the link can watch).

The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Once you have created a playlist, you can add more videos to it the same way — find the video, click the menu, choose the playlist name. You can rearrange videos by dragging them into a different order, delete videos from the playlist without deleting them from YouTube, and share the playlist link with other people if you set it to public.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into your YouTube account, click the three-dot menu under any video, and select "Add to playlist" to start saving videos.
  • You can create a new playlist during the process or add the video to one you already made.
  • Private playlists are visible only to you; public playlists can be shared with anyone who has the link.
  • You can rearrange videos in a playlist by dragging them, and remove videos without deleting them from YouTube.
  • Playlists are useful for organizing music, tutorials, or any videos you want to watch in a specific order.

Where to find the "Add to playlist" button

On a computer, open YouTube and find the video you want to save. Below the video title on the right side, you will see a row of buttons: a thumbs-up icon, a thumbs-down icon, a share icon, and a three-dot menu. Click the three-dot menu. A dropdown list appears with options including "Add to playlist." Click that option.

On a phone or tablet, the layout is slightly different. Play the video, then tap the three-dot menu icon (usually in the top right corner of the video player). Scroll down in the menu that appears until you see "Add to playlist" and tap it. The rest of the process is the same on all devices.

Creating a new playlist versus adding to an existing one

When you click "Add to playlist," YouTube shows you a list of playlists you have already made, with a "Create new" option at the top. If you are saving your first video for a new collection, click "Create new." A text box appears where you type the name — for example, "Workout Music" or "Cooking Videos." Below that, you choose whether the playlist is private or public.

If you already have a playlist for that type of video, just click its name in the list. The video is added when ready without any extra steps. You can add the same video to multiple playlists if you want — there is no limit to how many playlists one video can belong to.

Private versus public playlists

A private playlist is visible only to you when you are signed into your account. No one else can find it or watch it, even if they have your YouTube channel link. Private is the default setting when you create a new playlist, and it is the safest choice if you are not sure.

A public playlist can be viewed by anyone who has the direct link to it. They do not need a YouTube account, and they do not need your permission — if you give them the link, they can watch all the videos in order. Public playlists are useful if you want to share a collection with friends, create a guide for others, or build a playlist that other people might discover. You can change a playlist from private to public (or back) at any time by editing the playlist settings.

Organizing and editing your playlists

Once you have added videos to a playlist, you can change the order by clicking "Edit playlist" (on a computer) or tapping the three-dot menu next to the playlist name (on a phone). A list of all videos appears with drag handles on the left side of each one. Click and drag a video up or down to move it. You can also remove a video from the playlist by clicking the X next to it — this does not delete the video from YouTube, only from that playlist.

You can rename a playlist, change it from private to public, or delete the entire playlist from the playlist settings. To find the settings, click the three-dot menu next to the playlist name. The changes take effect when ready.

Sharing a public playlist with others

If your playlist is set to public, you can share it by clicking the share icon next to the playlist name. YouTube generates a link that you can copy and send to anyone — through email, text, social media, or any other way. When they click the link, they see all the videos in the order you arranged them, and they can play them one after another without interruption.

People who view your public playlist cannot edit it or add videos to it — only you can make changes. If you want others to contribute videos, you would need to share the link and ask them to send you video suggestions, which you then add yourself.

What happens when you add a video that is no longer available

If a video is deleted or made private by its creator after you add it to your playlist, the video remains in your playlist but shows as unavailable. You will see a message saying the video cannot be played. You can remove it from the playlist, but you cannot watch it. This is why playlists of music or tutorials sometimes have gaps — the original creator removed the video.

YouTube does not notify you when a video in your playlist becomes unavailable. You only find out when you try to play it. If you are building a playlist you plan to share or use regularly, check it occasionally to make sure the videos still work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add videos from other YouTube channels to my playlist?

Yes. A playlist can contain videos from any channel. You can mix videos from different creators, your own uploads, and anything else on YouTube in a single playlist. There is no restriction on which videos you can add.

How many videos can I add to one playlist?

YouTube does not publish a hard limit, but playlists with thousands of videos work without problems. The practical limit is how long you want to spend managing it. Most people find playlists with 50 to 200 videos easier to navigate than much longer ones.

Can someone edit my public playlist if I share the link?

No. Only you can edit, rearrange, or remove videos from your playlist. People who view it can watch the videos in the order you set, but they cannot make any changes. If you want others to suggest videos, you have to add them yourself.

What is the difference between a playlist and a "Watch Later" list?

"Watch Later" is a built-in playlist that YouTube creates automatically for every account. It works the same way as a regular playlist, but it is designed as a quick-save option for videos you want to watch soon. You can create as many custom playlists as you want, but you only get one "Watch Later" list.

If I delete a playlist, do the videos get deleted from YouTube?

No. Deleting a playlist only removes the collection — the videos themselves stay on YouTube and in any other playlists they belong to. Only the original creator can delete a video from YouTube entirely.