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How to organize how-to videos by length for DIY hobbyists in 2026

A practical guide for DIY hobbyists who want to arrange how-to videos by length, with steps, tools to consider, checks to make, and common mistakes to avoid.

By XP Daily ยท

XP Daily is published by the makers of DaysAid, QuickDictate and YTSort, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Start by deciding whether shorter or longer tutorials should come first, then arrange the videos by length. YTSort reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [1]

OptionHow it orders videos
Paper list or sticky noteYou rank by hand
SpreadsheetYou sort by a length column you fill in
YTSortReorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first [1]

What you need before you start

Before sorting a collection of DIY tutorials, have the playlist, the video lengths, and the order you want ready.

Choose the sorting direction before changing the playlist, so the order has a clear purpose.

Step by step

Use the same basic sequence whether the order is being changed by hand or with a browser tool.

  1. Open the playlist you want to arrange. Confirm that it is the playlist that should receive the new order.
  2. Gather the video lengths. Record each title alongside its length before deciding where it belongs.
  3. Mark steps that depend on earlier steps. If a later tutorial assumes that an earlier one has already been followed, note that relationship before sorting.
  4. Choose the direction. Put the shortest videos first when that is the intended order, or reverse the direction when longer tutorials should come first.
  5. Decide where videos outside the main length range should go. If using YTSort, videos outside a chosen length range can be moved to the end. [1]
  6. Review the proposed sequence. Check that tutorials with required earlier steps have not been separated in a way that changes how the project should be followed.
  7. Apply the new sequence. YTSort can show the before and after order so it can be checked before changes are applied. [1]
  8. Start with the first video. Follow the resulting order when working through the tutorials.
  9. Keep project notes separately. Record useful instructions or decisions that need to be remembered while working.
  10. Review the sequence after using it. Change the order when the chosen length-first approach no longer suits the way the project is being worked on.

Tools that can do it

There are manual ways to arrange a list and a browser tool that can change a YouTube playlist for you.

Paper list or sticky note. A handwritten list can be used when the intended order only needs to be recorded for reference.

A spreadsheet. A length column can be used to arrange a list from shorter to longer. Check the particular spreadsheet tool for its current limits and cost.

YTSort. YTSort is made by the team that publishes this site. YTSort is one option. It reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [1]

YTSort has three install options: a bookmark, a browser script, or a Chrome Web Store extension. [1] The extension needs Chrome or Edge, while the script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [1]

| Option | How it orders videos | |---|---| | Paper list or sticky note | Arrange the titles and lengths by hand | | Spreadsheet | Arrange the list using a length column | | YTSort | Reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [1] |

Common mistakes to avoid

Separating dependent tutorials. If a later video relies on an earlier one, check that relationship before putting videos into a length-based order.

Skipping the final review. Look through the proposed sequence before applying it, especially when some tutorials need to be followed in a particular order.

Ignoring the videos outside the main length range. If using YTSort, a length range can be used while the remaining videos are moved to the end. [1]

Using the wrong playlist. YTSort is for reordering a YouTube playlist you own. [1] Check the playlist before applying an order.

Losing track of project steps. Keep notes when a project depends on instructions from several tutorials.

Leaving the sequence unchecked. Review the order before applying it and change the approach when the resulting sequence does not suit the project.

Things to check before you choose

YTSort sends requests to YouTube's own system using your existing session, so videos can be reordered without dragging or scrolling. [1] It sorts the full playlist, not just the videos loaded on screen. [1] After sorting, it reads the playlist back from YouTube and re-applies any moves that did not stick. [1] It shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. [1] It can sort only videos within a length range and move the rest to the end. [1] It shows total, average, shortest and longest video duration for the playlist. [1] It exports position, title, duration and URL of every video to a CSV file. [1] Its panel follows YouTube's light or dark theme automatically. [1] If its usual fast method is ever unavailable, it automatically switches to drag-and-drop. [1] YTSort is free, and all install options include the same features. [1] YTSort is free, open-source software under the GPL-2.0-only licence. [1]

Frequently asked questions

How to put the shortest how-to videos first in a YouTube playlist?

List the videos and their lengths, choose shortest-first or longest-first, then apply the order. YTSort reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [1]

How to sort a YouTube playlist from shortest to longest?

Choose whether shorter or longer videos should come first, then arrange the playlist in that direction. If a browser tool is being considered, check its current details before applying the new order.

Can the new playlist order be checked before it is applied?

With YTSort, yes. It shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. [1] For any manual method, review the proposed sequence before changing the playlist.

Which browsers work with YTSort?

The YTSort extension needs Chrome or Edge. The script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [1] YTSort can also be obtained as a bookmark that runs it. [1]

Should DIY hobbyists always watch the shortest how-to videos first?

Not always. If a project depends on earlier instructions, check those relationships before applying a length-based order. YTSort can put the shortest or longest videos first, so the chosen direction can be matched to the way the tutorials need to be used. [1] Review the resulting sequence before applying it when the project has dependent steps.

YTSort is free; all install options include the same features. [1]

Try YTSort

Sources

  1. YTSort's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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