Best Times to Post YouTube Shorts & TikTok in 2026
Discover the optimal posting times for YouTube Shorts and TikTok based on real data. Comprehensive guide with posting schedules by day, channel size, and niche. Maximize your short-form video reach and engagement.
Methodology: Aggregated engagement windows from creator performance patterns (Oct 2024–Nov 2025), adjusted for local time zone behavior and platform guidance. Use these ranges as starting points; test and refine for your audience.
Best Posting Times by Day of Week
Time Zone: EST (Eastern Standard Time - convert to your target audience's timezone for best results)
| Day | YouTube Shorts | TikTok |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 2–4 PM, 8–10 PM | 6–9 AM, 12–1 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–2 PM, 7–9 PM | 7–9 AM, 5–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 1–3 PM, 8–10 PM | 6–8 AM, 3–5 PM |
| Thursday | 12–2 PM, 7–9 PM | 7–9 AM, 4–6 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–1 PM, 6–8 PM | 6–8 AM, 12–2 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–12 PM, 5–7 PM | 9–11 AM, 7–9 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–12 PM, 6–8 PM | 9–11 AM, 4–6 PM |
Optimal Posting Times by Channel Size
Small Channels (< 10K subs)
- Prefer weekday evenings (7–10 PM local) when competition is lower.
- Post 1–2 times per day; consistency matters more than exact timing.
Medium Channels (10K–100K)
- Target two windows: lunchtime (12–2 PM) and evening prime (7–9 PM).
- Experiment with weekend mornings (9–11 AM) for higher completion rates.
Large Channels (100K+)
- Audience often spans time zones—schedule regionally or use multiple drops.
- Leverage new video momentum: post a Short/TikTok within 2–4 hours of long-form upload.
Best Posting Times by Content Niche
| Niche | Best Windows (Local Time) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 12–1 PM, 7–9 PM weekdays | Lunch breaks and after-school hours perform well. |
| Gaming | 6–9 PM weekdays, 10 AM–1 PM weekends | Sync with live events/patch cycles for spikes. |
| Finance | 7–9 AM, 12–1 PM weekdays | Morning commutes and lunch windows outperform nights. |
| Beauty & Lifestyle | 12–2 PM, 7–9 PM | Weekend late mornings are strong for tutorials. |
| Fitness | 6–8 AM, 5–7 PM | Pre/post-work routines drive engagement. |
Tips, Time Zones, and Scheduling
Align to your audience's local time, not your own. If global, stagger posts across regions.
Post 30–60 minutes before the peak window to accumulate momentum.
Batch content and use a release calendar to maintain consistency.
Track: 3s hold, completion rate, and shares—optimize to lift these.
Methodology and Limitations
These ranges reflect broad engagement patterns and practical experience rather than guarantees. Platform algorithms, niche behavior, and content quality can outweigh timing. Treat this as a testing baseline and iterate based on your analytics.
Automate posting at optimal times
HypeNest automatically suggests your channel's best posting times and can schedule content to TikTok & YouTube Shorts with one click. Focus on creating while we handle the timing.