YouTube shows the upload date in the video details, but the exact location depends on whether you're on a computer or phone
The upload date appears in different places depending on your device. On a computer, look below the video title on the right side of the player — you'll see the channel name, subscriber count, and directly underneath that, the upload date in gray text. On a phone or tablet, tap the video title area to expand the full description, and the upload date shows just below the channel name. The date format varies by your location and language settings, but it always shows the exact day the creator published the video.
YouTube also displays how long ago the video was uploaded in relative time — "2 weeks ago" or "3 months ago" — alongside the exact date. If you hover over the relative time on a computer, a tooltip appears with the full date and sometimes the time of day. This is useful when you need to know not just when a video went live, but how recent it is compared to other uploads from the same channel.
Key Takeaways
- On a computer, the upload date appears in gray text directly below the channel name on the right side of the video player.
- On a phone or tablet, tap the video title to expand the description and find the upload date below the channel name.
- YouTube shows both the exact date and a relative time ("2 weeks ago"), and hovering over the relative time on a computer reveals the full timestamp.
- The date format depends on your location and language settings, but the information is always available in the same section of the page.
Finding the upload date on a desktop or laptop
Open the YouTube video in your browser and look at the area when ready to the right of the video player. Below the video title, you'll see the channel name in blue (clickable), the subscriber count, and then a line with the upload date. The date appears in a smaller, gray font and includes both the exact day and the relative time — for example, "Oct 15, 2023" and "3 months ago" on the same line.
If you want to see the exact time the video was uploaded, not just the date, move your mouse over the relative time text ("3 months ago"). A small popup box will appear showing the full timestamp, including the hour and minute. This works in all major browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Finding the upload date on a phone or tablet
On the YouTube mobile app or mobile website, the upload date is hidden behind the expanded description. Tap anywhere on the video title or the "Show more" button below it. The description will expand, and you'll see the channel name, subscriber count, and the upload date directly underneath. The date format is the same as on desktop — both the exact date and how long ago it was posted.
If you're using the YouTube app on iOS or Android, you can also swipe up from the bottom of the screen while the video is playing to see the full description panel, which includes the upload date. This method is faster if you're already watching the video and don't want to pause it.
Understanding YouTube's date formats
YouTube displays dates in the format your region uses. In the United States, you'll see "Oct 15, 2023" (month, day, year). In the United Kingdom and many other countries, it shows "15 Oct 2023" (day, month, year). Some regions display dates in other formats entirely. The relative time ("2 weeks ago") is always shown in English, regardless of your language settings, but the exact date respects your location.
If you need the upload date in a specific format for documentation or reference, you can check your YouTube account settings to see what format is currently active. Go to Settings > General and look at the language and region options. Changing these will update how dates appear across your YouTube experience.
Why the upload date matters
Knowing when a video was uploaded helps you determine how current the information is. A tutorial about software might be outdated if it was uploaded five years ago, while a news video from yesterday is more likely to reflect current events. Creators also use upload dates to build trust — a channel that uploads regularly shows it's actively maintained, while one with no uploads for years might be abandoned.
The upload date is also useful when you're trying to find a specific video you watched before. If you remember roughly when you watched it, you can search for videos from that time period and narrow down your options. YouTube's search filters include an option to sort by upload date, which makes this easier.
What happens when a creator edits or re-uploads a video
When a creator edits a video after uploading it — changing the title, description, or thumbnail — the upload date stays the same. YouTube doesn't change the original upload timestamp just because the description was updated. This means the date you see is always when the video first went live, not when it was last modified.
If a creator deletes a video and uploads it again, it gets a new upload date. The old date disappears because the video is no longer on the platform. Some creators do this intentionally to make old content appear new, or by accident when they're managing their channel. If you're looking for a video you saw months ago and can't find it, it may have been re-uploaded with a different date.
Finding upload dates for videos in playlists or search results
When you're browsing YouTube search results or looking at a playlist, the upload date appears in the small text below each video thumbnail. It shows the relative time ("2 weeks ago") rather than the exact date, but you can click on any video to open it and see the full date in the details section. This is helpful when you're comparing multiple videos and want to know which ones are most recent.
In a playlist, videos are usually sorted by the order the creator arranged them, not by upload date. If you want to see which videos in a playlist are newest, you'll need to check each one individually or look for a sort option if the playlist creator provided one. Some playlists are sorted by upload date automatically, but this depends on how the creator set it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what time of day a video was uploaded, not just the date?
Yes, on a computer. Hover your mouse over the relative time text (like "2 weeks ago") and a tooltip will show the full timestamp including the hour and minute. On mobile, this information is not displayed in the standard interface, though some third-party apps may show it.
Does YouTube show upload dates in different time zones?
YouTube displays the date based on your account's time zone setting, not the creator's. If a video was uploaded at 11 PM in the creator's time zone but you're in a different zone, you'll see the date adjusted to your local time. Check your account settings under General to see your current time zone.
Why does a video show two different dates in different places?
This usually happens when you're looking at the video in different regions or languages. YouTube adjusts the date format based on your location settings. The actual upload date is the same — only how it's displayed changes. If you see genuinely different dates, refresh the page or clear your browser cache.
Can I find the upload date if the video has been deleted?
No, once a video is deleted from YouTube, the upload date is no longer available. If you saved a link to the video before it was deleted, the Wayback Machine (archive.org) may have captured a snapshot that includes the upload date, but this is not may provide.
Does YouTube hide the upload date for private or unlisted videos?
No, the upload date is visible for private and unlisted videos just as it is for public ones. Anyone who has access to watch the video can see when it was uploaded. The privacy setting only controls who can find and watch the video, not what information is shown about it.