How to Change a Shortened YouTube URL into a Regular URL

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step guide to un-shortening a YouTube URL
PDF download Download Article

With a flick of a few additional keys, you can change this sharing link into something more recognizable.

Lengthening a YouTube URL: Quick Steps

  1. Copy and paste the short URL into a text editor.
  2. Replace "youtu.be" with "youtube.com".
  3. Add "watch?v=" to the right of the backslash, before the ID code from the link.
  4. Copy and paste the new link to share it.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Find the shortened link you want to share.
    Click on "Share" on the link, and find the address below that.
  2. Step 2 Copy that to a text editor.
    You'll need to fix it up a bit more before publishing it to your friends, who will be able to see your item in full desktop mode.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Change the shortened version of the YouTube website (youtu.be) to the full name YouTube in the address.
    Remove the period in between the youtu and be and add the .com URL extension to the domain of the address so it becomes www.youtube.com.
  4. Step 4 Add "watch?v=" to the address right of the backslash of the URL before the identification code from the sharing link.
  5. Step 5 Copy and paste...
    Copy and paste this address you've created into wherever it's needed. The link is ready to be shared wherever you want to share it that way.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Shorten YouTube Video Links
How to
Use a YouTube Link Shortener for Shareable URLs
Copy a URL on the YouTube App on iPhone or iPad2 Easy Ways to Copy a YouTube Video's Address on an iPhone or iPad
Copy a URL on the YouTube App on Android4 Easy Steps to Get a YouTube Video Link on an Android
Send a YouTube Video
How to
Share a YouTube Video (Text, Email, Social Media & Desktop)
Share Videos on YouTube
How to
Share Videos on YouTube
Make a Subscribe Link for YouTube Channel
How to
Create a YouTube Subscription Link for Your Channel
Watch Videos on YouTube
How to
Watch Videos on YouTube
Copy and Paste a Link
How to
Copy and Paste a Link
Embed a YouTube Video8 Simple Steps to Embed a Video or Playlist from YouTube
Get Links for Unlisted YouTube Videos
How to
Share Links to Your Unlisted YouTube Videos
Link to a Certain Time in a YouTube Video3 Simple Ways to Link to a Certain Time in a YouTube Video
Post a YouTube Video on Facebook
How to
Post a YouTube Video on Facebook
Get an Embed Code from YouTube6 Simple Steps to Get an Embed Code from YouTube
Find Your YouTube URL2 Simple Ways to Find Your YouTube Channel URL
Advertisement

About This Article

CB
Co-authored by:
Christopher Batchelor
Tech Enthusiast
This article was co-authored by Christopher Batchelor. Christopher Batchelor is a wikiHow community member and technology enthusiast. He has experience using a range of different platforms and software, and likes to keep up with updates and new features. This article has been viewed 80,023 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 5
Updated: April 21, 2025
Views: 80,023
Categories: Sharing YouTube Videos
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 80,023 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement