How to Use YouTube End Screens and Cards

YouTube end screens and cards are interactive tools that help move viewers to another action. They can point people to another video, playlist, channel, subscription action, or approved link depending on the feature and your channel eligibility.

Used well, they help viewers continue watching, discover the next best video, subscribe, or follow a clear path through your content. Used badly, they clutter the viewing experience, distract too early, or push viewers away before they finish the current video.

End screens appear near the end of a video. Cards can appear during the video. They are not the same tool, and they should not be used in the same way. End screens are best for the final next step. Cards are best for relevant supporting links during the video.

This guide explains what end screens and cards do, when to use each one, the limits and eligibility rules, how to add them in YouTube Studio, how to choose the right video or playlist, and how creators, businesses, and agencies can use them without harming retention.

The Short Answer

Use end screens to guide viewers during the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video. You can use them to promote videos, playlists, and subscriptions. A video must be at least 25 seconds long to use an end screen, and standard 16:9 videos can have up to four end screen elements.

Use cards during the video when you want to point viewers to a relevant video, playlist, channel, or link. You can add up to five cards to one video. Cards are not available on videos set as made for kids.

The best strategy is simple: use end screens for the next video or playlist viewers should watch, and use cards only when they genuinely support the current moment.

What Are YouTube End Screens?

End screens are interactive elements that appear in the final part of a YouTube video. They can promote another video, a playlist, a subscription action, or other supported elements depending on channel settings and eligibility.

End screens are designed for the moment when the viewer has finished or nearly finished the video. That makes them ideal for guiding the next watch.

Good end screens answer the viewer question: what should I watch next?

End Screen Rules and Limits

YouTube end screens have several important limits.

Key points include:

• End screens can appear in the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video.
• The video must be at least 25 seconds long to have an end screen.
• Standard 16:9 videos can have up to four end screen elements.
• Other aspect ratios may have lower limits.
• End screens are not available for videos set as made for kids.
• End screens are not available in some surfaces, such as mobile web, YouTube Music, flash videos, or 360 videos.
• Other interactive elements such as card teasers and video watermarks are suppressed during the end screen.

Before designing an end screen, make sure the video actually qualifies.

How to Add an End Screen

The general process is:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left menu, select Content.
3. Click the video you want to edit.
4. Open Editor.
5. Select End screen.
6. Add the elements you want.
7. Position the elements clearly.
8. Choose timing within the final 5 to 20 seconds.
9. Save the changes.

After saving, watch the end of the video to check that the elements do not cover important text, faces, product shots, or calls to action.

What Are YouTube Cards?

Cards are interactive prompts that can appear during a video. They can point viewers to a video, playlist, channel, or eligible external link.

Cards are useful when a viewer may need extra context while watching. For example, you might link to a previous tutorial, a related playlist, a collaborator channel, or a resource that supports the topic.

Cards should complement the video. They should not interrupt the main viewing experience.

Card Rules and Limits

Important card details include:

• You can add up to five cards to one video.
• Cards can feature a video, playlist, channel, or link.
• Cards are not available on videos set as made for kids.
• External link cards require YouTube Partner Program eligibility.
• External linked websites must comply with YouTube policies.
• Cards may not show if a video has been claimed by Content ID and the content owner has set up a campaign.

Use cards sparingly. Five cards does not mean you should always use five cards.

How to Add Cards

The general process is:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left menu, select Content.
3. Click the video you want to edit.
4. From the left menu, select Editor.
5. Select Info cards.
6. Choose the card type.
7. Set the start time for the card.
8. Add message or teaser text where needed.
9. Click Save.

For channel cards, message and teaser text are required. Keep them short and useful.

End Screens vs Cards

End screens and cards serve different jobs.

Use end screens when:

• The video is nearly finished
• You want to recommend the next video
• You want viewers to subscribe
• You want to point to a playlist
• You want to extend the session

Use cards when:

• A related video is useful at a specific moment
• You mention another resource
• You need to credit a collaborator channel
• A playlist adds context
• An approved link supports the topic

In plain English: cards support the current video. End screens guide the next step after the video.

Why End Screens Can Improve Session Depth

The end of a video is a decision point. The viewer can leave, scroll, search, or watch something else. A strong end screen gives them a clear path.

Good end screens can encourage:

• Watching another video
• Continuing a series
• Opening a playlist
• Subscribing
• Moving from Shorts or discovery content into long-form content

The best end screen feels like a natural next step, not an afterthought.

How to Choose the Right End Screen Video

Do not just choose your newest upload. Choose the video that makes most sense after the current one.

Good end screen choices include:

• The next video in a series
• A deeper tutorial on the same topic
• A beginner guide after an advanced video
• An advanced guide after a beginner video
• A case study after an explanation
• A playlist for the full topic

Ask: what would this viewer most likely want next?

How to Design the Final 20 Seconds

If you use end screens, design the ending around them. Do not let end screen elements cover important visuals.

A good ending can include:

• A clear spoken next step
• Space on screen for video elements
• A simple visual layout
• No important text under the clickable boxes
• A reason to click the next video

For example, instead of saying only “thanks for watching,” say “If you are setting up your channel, watch this next because it shows the exact visibility settings to use.”

How to Use Cards Without Hurting Retention

Cards can distract viewers if used too early or too often. A card is a doorway out of the current video, so place it carefully.

Good card timing includes:

• When you mention a related tutorial
• After you have delivered enough value
• When a supporting resource is genuinely needed
• When the viewer may want optional context

Avoid placing cards in the first few seconds unless there is a strong reason. Early distractions can reduce focus.

Cards for Playlists

Playlist cards are useful when the current video belongs to a larger topic.

Use a playlist card when:

• The video is part of a series
• The viewer may need related lessons
• The playlist creates a guided journey
• The current video is one step in a process

Make sure the playlist is public if you want viewers to access it.

Cards for Collaborator Channels

Channel cards can be used to point viewers to a collaborator, guest, partner, or channel mentioned in the video.

This is useful for interviews, collaborations, credits, and joint campaigns.

Use clear teaser text so viewers know why the channel matters.

External Link Cards

External link cards are only available to eligible YouTube Partner Program channels. Linked websites must comply with YouTube policies, including Community Guidelines and Terms of Service.

Use external links carefully. Do not send viewers to unsafe, misleading, spammy, or deceptive pages.

Good external link uses include:

• Official website
• Relevant resource
• Product page
• Course page
• Event registration page
• Newsletter signup page

The link should match the video and be safe for viewers.

Business and Agency Workflow

For business and client channels, end screens and cards should be part of the publishing checklist.

Checklist:

• Choose the next best video or playlist
• Confirm external links are approved
• Check sponsor requirements
• Confirm the video is not made for kids if using cards or end screens
• Watch the final 20 seconds
• Make sure elements do not cover key visuals
• Save and test the published video

For agencies, get client approval before linking to external pages or partner channels.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these mistakes:

• Adding too many cards
• Using cards too early
• Choosing random end screen videos
• Letting end screens cover important visuals
• Forgetting that made for kids videos cannot use these features
• Using unsafe external links
• Not checking the final 20 seconds
• Using generic calls to action with no clear reason to click

FAQ

What are YouTube end screens?

End screens are interactive elements shown in the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video.

How long does a video need to be for an end screen?

The video needs to be at least 25 seconds long.

How many end screen elements can I add?

For standard 16:9 videos, you can add up to four elements.

What are YouTube cards?

Cards are interactive prompts that can link to a video, playlist, channel, or eligible external website.

How many cards can I add?

You can add up to five cards to one video.

Can made for kids videos use cards?

No. Cards are not available on videos set as made for kids.

Can I use external links in cards?

Only if you are eligible, such as through the YouTube Partner Program, and the website follows YouTube policies.

Final Thoughts

End screens and cards are useful when they help viewers, not when they clutter the video. Use cards to support the current moment. Use end screens to guide the next watch.

The best setup is intentional. Pick the video or playlist that naturally follows. Place cards only when relevant. Design the final 20 seconds so end screen elements fit cleanly. Check every link and make sure it is safe.

For creators, these tools can increase session depth. For businesses and agencies, they can support campaigns and viewer journeys. The strongest approach is simple: make the next step obvious and useful.