What is a good YouTube engagement rate?

A good YouTube engagement rate is 2-5% based on views. The average across all channels is around 1.5-3%. YouTube Shorts typically have higher engagement rates than long-form videos.

How is YouTube engagement rate calculated?

The standard formula is ((Likes + Comments) / Views) x 100. Some formulas also factor in shares and watch time, but likes and comments per view is the most widely used metric.

Does YouTube engagement rate affect the algorithm?

Yes. YouTube uses engagement signals like likes, comments, and watch time to determine how widely to distribute your video. Higher engagement leads to more recommendations and search visibility.

YouTube Tool

YouTube Engagement Rate Calculator

Calculate your YouTube engagement rate by views or subscribers. Compare to 2026 benchmarks for long-form and Shorts.

Enter your YouTube stats

Formula: ((Likes + Comments) / Views) x 100

Calculate your YouTube engagement

Enter your video stats to see how your YouTube channel performs against benchmarks.

YouTube engagement explained

YouTube's algorithm prioritizes watch time and click-through rate over likes and comments. However, engagement rate (likes + comments per view) remains a valuable metric for understanding how actively your audience interacts with your content. High engagement signals to YouTube that your video is worth recommending, leading to more suggested video placements and search visibility. Use PostEverywhere's social media scheduler to maintain a consistent YouTube posting schedule and track engagement trends over time. Pairing consistent uploads with our best time to post analytics helps maximize initial engagement when your audience is most active.

Long-form vs. Shorts engagement

YouTube Shorts typically have higher engagement rates (5-15%) compared to long-form videos (2-5%) due to their quick consumption format. However, long-form videos drive more watch time, which is YouTube's primary ranking signal. For the most accurate analysis, calculate engagement separately for your long-form and Shorts content. Many creators use AI content generation tools to repurpose long-form content into Shorts, and leverage content calendar planning to balance both formats strategically throughout the week.

How to Use the YouTube Engagement Rate Calculator

Choose calculation method

Select 'By Views' (standard for YouTube) or 'By Subscribers' for your engagement calculation.

Enter your YouTube stats

Input your average views/subscribers, likes, and comments per video.

Compare to benchmarks

See your engagement rate and how it compares to 2026 YouTube benchmarks.