How Much Money Does YouTube Pay For 1 Million Views (2026)

TL;DR: YouTube typically pays $2,500–$5,000 for 1 million views on regular long-form videos. But in high-paying niches like finance or tech, creators can earn up to $15,000–$40,000. Lower-RPM niches like gaming or memes may only bring in $1,000–$4,000.

For YouTube Shorts, ad revenue drops significantly, usually around $50–$200 per 1 million views.

Remember, your YouTube Ad revenue depends on your niche RPM, audience location, content type, engagement rate, and a bunch of other factors we’ll discuss in detail in this guide.

Important Terms:
CPM (Cost per mile) = What advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions (before splits)
RPM (Revenue per mile) = What creators earn per 1,000 views (after YouTube’s cut).

Want to boost your YouTube earnings? Use TubeBuddy to get hidden insights and create content that resonates with your audience.

Guess how much Mr. Beast, the world’s highest-paid YouTuber, made in 2024. A staggering $85 million!

But Mr. Beast operates on an entirely different level, with over 330 million subscribers and tens of millions of views per video.

What about regular YouTubers? How much does YouTube pay them for 1 million views?

There’s no single, straightforward answer to this question.

YouTube pays creators varying amounts based on several factors, from audience location to niche and engagement metrics.

But I know you’re looking for a ballpark figure, right? 

So, in this detailed article, I’ll not only provide you with an estimated revenue range for 1 million YouTube views but also dive into the mechanics of YouTube’s advertising program and how it calculates a creator’s earnings.

Use our Free YouTube Income Calculator to get an accurate revenue range for your content.

How Much Does YouTube Pay For A Million Views – Quick Answer

Before diving into the variables that impact a creator’s revenue from YouTube’s advertising program, let me give an estimated range.

On average, YouTube pays anywhere from $2500 to $5000 for a million views. However, in high-paying niches like finance or tech, this figure can go as high as $15,000 to $40,000. In contrast, categories like gaming or vlogs may only bring in $1,000 to $4,000 for the same number of views.

For Shorts, Youtube pays around $50-200 for a million views, depending on your niche and audience.

But that doesn’t tell you the whole story. Several other factors impact a creator’s advertising revenue from YouTube.

To get a better idea of how much you can make from YouTube for a million views, read the rest of this article (or use our free YouTube earnings calculator).

Understanding the YouTube Partner Program | Advertising For Creators

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is the most popular way for creators to earn money directly from YouTube. 

While creators have numerous monetization methods to explore, from affiliate marketing to sponsored content, the YPP focuses solely on ad revenue. (I’ve covered them all in detail in my YouTube monetization guide.)

Through the Partner Program, YouTube pays creators a portion of its advertising revenue by showing ads during their content. 

The formula is simple: the more views a creator racks up, the more ad revenue they can earn.

Just how massive is YouTube’s advertising ecosystem? 

According to Statista, YouTube generated over $36 billion in ad revenue in 2024—its highest ever—now accounting for 13.66% of Google’s total global ad revenue.

Source

By joining the YPP, creators essentially tap into this vast revenue stream, earning a share of the ad dollars advertisers spend to appear on their videos.

But this is where things get interesting.

Not all views are equal. Your niche, audience demographics, video length, and ad placement significantly influence how much you earn. 

Let me explain.

How YouTube Advertising Revenue Is Calculated

YouTube Partner Program, in which YouTube shares its advertising revenue with creators, is available in over 130 countries.

However, how much YouTube pays for a million views varies among all regions because YouTube’s advertising payouts are based on CPM.

The key to how much cash you pull in from YouTube depends on your CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions).

It’s a metric that tells you how much advertisers are willing to pay for 1,000 ad views or impressions on your content.

In simpler terms, if a video’s CPM is $5, it means advertisers pay $5 for every 1,000 times their ad shows up on that video. 

The higher your CPM, the more money you earn from those ad views.

The CPM rate is different across regions and fluctuates based on a number of other factors. 

Let’s look at them one by one.

Factor #1: Niche and Content Type

The topic of your videos has a significant impact on your revenue. Advertisers are willing to pay more for certain niches, making them “high-paying.”

High-Paying Niches:

Niches like finance, technology, real estate, education, and business have higher CPMs (Cost Per Mille) because they attract audiences with strong purchasing power or professional interests.

Plus, generally, the advertisers in these niches have higher budgets and are willing to pay more for a click.

For example, a finance channel can earn anywhere from $20–$40 RPM (Revenue Per Mille). Similarly, a tech reviewer discussing gadgets might see RPMs ranging from $8–$25.

Low-Paying Niches:

Gaming, music, memes, and vlogs often fall on the lower end of the spectrum because their audiences tend to be less valuable to advertisers. For example, a gaming channel might earn just $1–$4 RPM, while meme compilations could see as little as $0.50–$2.

So, if you’re selecting a niche for your YouTube channel, consider the advertiser demand and audience profile associated with your content type.

Factor #2: Audience Demographics

Who watches your videos matters as much as how many people watch them. Advertisers value specific demographics and regions, leading to drastic differences in CPM rates.

Viewer Location

Audiences from high-income countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia yield higher CPMs compared to those from Asia, Latin America, or Africa. For example, a US-based viewer might bring $8–$12 CPM, while a viewer from India might bring $1–$2 CPM.

Audience Purchasing Power

Advertisers target audiences with disposable income or professional relevance. A tech product for professionals will pay more to advertise to a viewer in Silicon Valley than a student in a developing country. 

Use analytics to understand your audience’s geography and adjust your content to target higher-value regions or demographics when possible.

Factor #3: Engagement and Ad View Rates

Engagement doesn’t directly earn you money, but it influences how much YouTube promotes your videos and how many ads are viewed.

Watch-Through Rates

For an ad view to count, users must watch either the entire ad (if it’s 30 seconds or less) or at least 30 seconds of a longer ad. Ads skipped too early don’t contribute to revenue.

Engagement Metrics

Metrics like likes, shares, comments, and watch time boost your video’s visibility in YouTube’s algorithm, leading to more views and higher ad revenue.

So, encourage your viewers to interact with your videos to boost engagement. A simple call-to-action like “Comment your thoughts below!” can work wonders.

Factor #4: Video Length

The length of your video directly impacts how many ads can be shown and, therefore, your revenue potential.

Optimal Length

Videos that are 8–12 minutes long are ideal because YouTube allows creators to add multiple mid-roll ads, increasing revenue without overwhelming viewers For example, a 10-minute video can feature pre-roll, mid-roll, and end-roll ads.

Short Videos

While they can go viral, shorter videos (e.g., under 5 minutes) typically generate less revenue as there’s less opportunity for ad placement.

So, aim for engaging content that naturally extends beyond 8 minutes to take advantage of multiple ad slots.

Factor #5: Seasonal Fluctuations

Revenue isn’t static throughout the year. Advertiser budgets and consumer behavior heavily influence CPM rates seasonally.

High-CPM Periods

The fourth quarter (Q4) is a goldmine for creators. Advertisers spend heavily on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday campaigns, driving up CPMs significantly. This is precisely why YouTube earned over $9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Low-CPM Periods

January is the worst month for ad revenue. Following the holiday shopping frenzy, advertisers cut back, leading to lower CPMs. Summer months also tend to be slower.

So, plan your best content for Q4 to maximize ad revenue and brace for slower months with diversified income streams.

How Much Can You Earn For A Million YouTube Views For Shorts and Long-Form Videos?

See, there’s more nuance to this question than just throwing out a flat figure. The earnings for a million YouTube views vary significantly based on the factors I discussed above and understanding them can help you unlock higher revenue potential.

To maximize your earnings, you need to optimize your content and tailor it for these factors, ensuring you’re targeting the highest payout potential. 

YouTube Shorts vs. Long-Form Videos: Why the RPM Is So Different

Many readers have emailed me to ask why YouTube ad revenues differ so much for long-form videos and Shorts.

For example, a million views for regular long-form videos earn you anywhere between $2000 to $5000. But for Shorts, the same views get you somewhere around $50 to $200.

Before explaining the reasons, let me give you a quick comparison of the two content types.

YouTube Revenue Comparison Table

Feature	Long-Form Videos	YouTube Shorts
Ad Revenue Model	Direct ads on your video	Pooled revenue shared across creators
Revenue Split	55% to creator / 45% to YouTube	45% to creator / 55% to YouTube
RPM (Revenue per 1,000 views)	$2–$6 (can go up to $20+ in high-RPM niches)	$0.01–$0.20 (often $0.05–$0.10)
Ad Placement	Pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll	Between Shorts in the feed
Impact of Music	No impact unless music rights involved	Music royalties can cut earnings by 50%+
Best Use Case	Maximizing revenue per view	Boosting visibility and channel growth

YouTube doesn’t treat all views equally, and if you’ve ever wondered why your Shorts go viral but barely make money, here’s why.

1. YouTube Has Different Revenue Models For Shorts and Long-Form Content

For regular long-form videos, YouTube places ads directly on your content before, during, or after the video. You keep 55% of that ad revenue, while YouTube takes 45%.

But Shorts work differently.

Ads don’t run on individual Shorts. Instead, YouTube pools all the ad revenue from the Shorts feed and distributes it among eligible creators. You get 45% of what’s left after YouTube takes its 55% cut. And if your Short uses copyrighted music, a chunk of your share — sometimes 50% or more — goes toward music licensing.

2. Different RPM Ranges

This leads to a massive difference in how much you earn per 1,000 views.

• Long-form videos: RPMs typically range from $2 to $6, and in niches like finance or tech, you can earn $20+ per 1,000 views. Longer videos also support mid-roll ads, which boosts your earnings further.
• YouTube Shorts: RPMs are often between $0.01 and $0.20, with many creators earning around $0.05 to $0.10 per 1,000 views — a fraction of long-form revenue.

What Explains the Gap?

It comes down to:

• Ad placement: Long-form videos allow multiple ad slots. Shorts display ads between videos in a continuous feed.
• Viewer behavior: Shorts are swipe-heavy. Viewers often skip quickly, which lowers “engaged view” counts used for revenue sharing.
• Music royalties: Using trending music? Expect a reduced payout — those royalties come out of your cut.

What This Means for You

If you’re chasing ad revenue, long-form content is where the real money is.

But that doesn’t mean Shorts are a waste. They’re incredible for channel growth, visibility, and driving traffic to your main videos. That’s why many smart creators use a hybrid strategy:

Use Shorts to reach new audiences, then hook them with your long-form content to earn more.

How Much Famous YouTubers Make from Advertising: 3 Real-Life Examples

Let’s quickly analyze some real-life examples of famous YouTubers in different niches to see how much they earn for a million views.

1. Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) – Tech Review Channel

• Niche: Technology (high-paying)
• RPM Range: $10–$25
• Estimated 1 Million Views Earnings: $10,000–$25,000

Marques Brownlee is one of YouTube’s most prominent tech creators, known for his detailed reviews of gadgets, smartphones, and electric cars. 

His audience primarily consists of high-income, tech-savvy professionals, a demographic that is extremely appealing to advertisers in industries like consumer electronics and software.

For instance, when Marques reviews a flagship smartphone, it often attracts premium advertisers like Apple, Samsung, and other tech giants. 

The CPM for these ads is significantly higher due to the competitive nature of the tech niche. Additionally, his videos often feature unboxing and detailed usage, which keeps viewers engaged for longer durations, maximizing ad impressions.

2. Joshua Mayo – Finance Channel

• Niche: Personal Finance (very high-paying)
• RPM: $20–$40
• 1 Million Views Earnings: $20,000–$40,000

Joshua Mayo’s channel focuses on financial education, including topics like budgeting, investing, and passive income. 

Personal finance attracts some of the highest-paying advertisers, such as banks, investment platforms, and fintech companies, all vying for the attention of financially literate viewers.

For example, Joshua’s video on “Best Budgeting Apps” got over 1 million views and included ads from fintech companies offering budgeting tools and investment services. 

These advertisers are willing to pay premium rates because his audience consists of individuals actively looking for financial solutions.

3. Kara and Nate – Travel Channel

• Niche: Travel (mid-range-paying)
• RPM: $5–$10
• 1 Million Views Earnings: $5,000–$10,000

Kara and Nate document their travel adventures, offering travel tips and insights. Their content appeals to a wide audience, including budget travelers and adventure seekers. 

Travel channels tend to have mid-range RPMs, with CPMs fluctuating based on the audience’s geographic location.

For instance, their videos focusing on destinations in Europe or North America attract higher CPMs due to the purchasing power of these audiences. 

Additionally, they collaborate with brands like Airbnb and travel agencies, further boosting their earnings. Seasonal content, such as videos on holiday destinations, often sees higher engagement and CPM rates during peak travel seasons.

Strategies to Maximize YouTube Advertising Earnings

How much YouTube pays you depends largely on your target audience, location, and other factors we’ve discussed in this article.

However, there are certain ways to optimize your advertising revenue and increase your earnings from YouTube ads. 

Let’s quickly discuss them.

1. Content Optimization

To maximize your earnings, focus on creating videos within high-paying niches like finance, technology, or education, as advertisers in these areas invest heavily. 

For example, a video titled “How to Save $1,000 on Your Taxes” will likely attract higher CPMs than a general vlog. 

Use tools like Google Trends and YouTube’s search bar to discover trending keywords in your niche, then incorporate them into your titles, descriptions, and tags. 

Don’t forget thumbnails as they’re the first impression of your content.

 A high-quality thumbnail with clear text and a striking visual can increase click-through rates, leading to more views and ad revenue.

2. Video Production Tips

High-quality production doesn’t require Hollywood-level gear, but your videos should be crisp and polished. 

Start with a smartphone camera and a simple ring light if you’re on a budget. Clear audio is a must. Many creators recommend investing in a good microphone early on. 

Editing matters just as much as filming. Video editing tools like Final Cut Pro or CapCut can help you add smooth transitions, text overlays, or even captions, making your content accessible to a wider audience. 

A well-edited video keeps viewers engaged, increasing watch time, which directly impacts ad placement and revenue.

3. Engagement Boosters

Encouraging viewers to interact with your content is a powerful way to increase earnings.

 Ask questions like, “What’s one tech gadget you can’t live without?” to spark comments, or include polls and quizzes in your videos.

Engagement doesn’t just come from within the video itself—it’s also about how you interact with your community. 

Respond to comments, create polls in your community tab, or shout out a viewer’s comment in your next video to make them feel valued. 

More interaction boosts visibility in YouTube’s algorithm, meaning your videos reach more viewers and generate more ad views.

4. Ad Placement Optimization

If your video is longer than eight minutes, you can add mid-roll ads—one of the easiest ways to boost revenue. 

But don’t just insert them randomly. 

Place them at natural breaks or just before a key reveal to keep viewers hooked. For instance, if you’re doing a cooking video, put a mid-roll ad right before showing the finished dish. Experiment with different ad types. Non-skippable ads work well for high-value content, while skippable ads might suit casual viewers better. 

Always monitor your ad performance in YouTube Studio to see what works best and adjust accordingly.

Read our detailed YouTube advertising guide to understand YouTube ad types in more detail.

Common Myths And Misconceptions About YouTube Advertising Revenue

Before finishing this article, I want to bust a few myths about YouTube’s advertising revenue. 

Why? Because understanding them will help you create the right kind of content and maximize your earnings.

Myth #1: “Everyone Makes the Same Amount for Every Million Views”

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about YouTube earnings. The truth is, revenue varies wildly depending on your niche, audience demographics, and engagement. 

For instance, a tech review channel might earn $25,000 for a million views, while a gaming channel might only see $2,000.

Why? Because tech companies pay higher CPMs to advertise products with bigger profit margins, while gaming ads often target younger audiences with less purchasing power.

Myth #2: “More Views Always Equals More Money”

It’s not just about views, it’s about ad views. If a video gets 1 million views but only 200,000 ad impressions, your earnings will reflect the latter. 

Plus, the type of ads and viewer behavior (whether they watch, skip, or click) play a huge role in how much you make. 

For example, a financial channel with high retention rates may earn more than a lifestyle vlogger with scattered engagement.

Myth #3: “Viral Videos Will Make You Rich”

Going viral certainly improves your chances of making more money. But it’s not always the case. 

Viral videos often attract a broad, global audience, which can lead to lower CPMs in regions with less advertiser competition. 

A meme video that garners millions of views might earn far less than a niche educational video with targeted, high-paying ads. 

A creator once shared that a 10-million-view meme earned just $800, while a tutorial with 500,000 views made over $3,000.

Myth #4: “Subscribers Are the Key to Earnings”

Subscribers are helpful for growing your audience but don’t directly determine your revenue. It’s the views and ad impressions that matter. 

A channel with 50,000 subscribers posting high-value content in a lucrative niche could earn more than a creator with 1 million subscribers posting low-CPM content like pranks or compilations.

Myth #5: “You Can Set It and Forget It”

Many believe that once you upload a video, the money just rolls in passively. While there is a passive income aspect to YouTube, maintaining and growing your channel requires constant effort. 

You need to produce fresh content, engage with your audience, and optimize for SEO regularly. Channels that go dormant often see a sharp drop in revenue.

Myth #6: “More Ads Mean More Money”

While adding multiple ads can increase revenue, bombarding viewers with ads can backfire. 

Too many ads may frustrate your audience, leading to shorter watch times and fewer views. It’s about balance. Strategically place ads at natural breaks and ensuring they complement your content, not interrupt it.

How Much Will You Earn From A Million YouTube Views?

I’ve explained in detail how YouTube’s Partner Program works and the factors that determine your advertising revenue. By now, you should have a clear idea that advertising revenue depends on your niche, audience, engagement, and ad strategy.

Now it’s up to you to make smart choices.

Choose a high-income niche like finance, tech, or education, where advertisers are willing to pay premium rates. Create content that not only hooks viewers but also encourages engagement, like likes, shares, and comments, which boosts your visibility. 

Target countries with higher CPMs, such as the US, UK, and Australia, and strategically place ads to optimize their performance without turning viewers away.

Plus, don’t rely entirely on advertising revenue. YouTube’s monetization methods like channel memberships, YouTube Super Chat, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and merchandise sales can significantly boost your income.

And why stop at YouTube? If you’re a digital creator, there are excellent YouTube alternatives to diversify your income streams. Explore every avenue and establish a sustainable, multi-platform presence that sustains revenue growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions about YouTube earnings.

1. How much does YouTube pay for 1 million views?

YouTube typically pays between $2,500 to $5,000 for 1 million views on long-form videos. However, this can rise to $15,000–$40,000 in high-paying niches like finance or tech, and drop to $1,000–$4,000 in lower-paying categories like gaming or memes.

2. How much does YouTube Shorts pay for 1 million views?

YouTube Shorts pay significantly less, averaging around $50 to $100 per million views. The monetization model for Shorts is still evolving and depends more on pooled ad revenue and engagement than direct CPM.

3. Which YouTube niches earn the most money per million views?

High-paying niches include finance, technology, business, education, and real estate. Channels in these niches can earn up to $30,000 or more per million views due to higher advertiser competition and CPMs.

4. Which countries have the highest YouTube CPM rates?

Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK typically offer the highest CPM rates. Creators targeting audiences in these regions often earn $8–$15+ CPM, significantly more than those targeting lower-income countries.

5. What factors affect YouTube earnings per view?

Key factors include your niche, audience location, engagement rate, video length, seasonal timing, and how many ads are actually viewed. Longer videos with high retention and premium audience demographics earn the most.

6. How much do finance YouTubers earn per million views?

Finance creators like Joshua Mayo often earn between $20,000 and $40,000 per million views thanks to high RPMs ($20–$40), premium advertisers, and a financially literate audience.

7. Can viral videos make you rich on YouTube?

Not necessarily. Viral videos may earn less if most views come from low-CPM regions or if few ads are watched. A niche educational video with 500,000 views can sometimes earn more than a viral meme with 10 million views.

8. Do subscribers affect how much YouTube pays you?

Not directly. Subscribers help with long-term growth and viewership, but ad revenue is based on views and ad impressions, not subscriber count.

9. How can I increase my YouTube ad revenue?

You can increase revenue by creating longer videos (8–12 mins), targeting high-CPM countries, choosing high-paying niches, and optimizing ad placement, engagement, and SEO.

10. When is the best time of year to earn the most from YouTube?

The fourth quarter (Q4) — especially October to December — is the most profitable due to heavy advertiser spending around holidays. CPMs peak during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas campaigns.