---
{"title": "Sort woodworking build tutorials by length in 2026", "description": "A practical guide to sorting woodworking build tutorials by length, keeping dependent steps in order and choosing a way to manage the playlist.", "url": "https://xpdaily.com/how-to-sort-build-tutorials-by-length-for-woodworking-hobbyists/", "date": "2026-11-04"}
---
A practical guide to sorting woodworking build tutorials by length, keeping dependent steps in order and choosing a way to manage the playlist.

List each tutorial with its running time, rank them from shortest to longest, and keep any steps that depend on each other in their original order. You can do this on paper or in a spreadsheet, or use a tool that reorders the playlist for you.

| Option | How it orders tutorials |
|---|---|
| Paper list or sticky note | You rank by hand |
| Spreadsheet | You sort by a running time column you fill in |
| YTSort | Reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first [^1] |

## What you need before you start

Build tutorials are often long, and many depend on steps done earlier, so it helps to have a few things ready before you sort.

- **A list of the tutorials you plan to watch.** Gather the titles or links for the build series, such as a bench, a box or a chair.
- **The running time of each tutorial.** It is shown on the video or its listing, and you need it to rank the tutorials.
- **A reason for sorting.** You might want short tutorials for a quick evening in the shop or to fit a free hour. Know which, because it decides what you do with the long ones.
- **A place to keep the order.** A paper list, a spreadsheet or the playlist itself all work. Keep the order in one place so you do not lose track of it.
- **A web browser, if you want a tool.** A browser-based sorting tool needs a web browser. The browser itself may already be installed. If you choose an extension or script, follow its instructions to add the sorting tool before you start.

Set aside a few minutes before you begin a new project. Sorting in the middle of a cut breaks your focus, so do it at the bench table before you pick up the saw.

## Step by step

These steps work with any tool, including a pen and a sheet of paper.

1. **Gather every tutorial in the series.** Write down the title and running time of each one. Do not sort yet.
2. **Mark the steps that must stay in order.** Many builds need a jig, a joint or a finish done before the next part. Keep those tutorials together in their sequence.
3. **Rank the rest from shortest to longest.** Put the shortest at the top of the list.
4. **Decide what happens to the longest tutorials.** Leave them at the end or move them to a longer free block.
5. **Check the order against the build.** Read the list from top to bottom and look for a tutorial that uses a tool or part you have not reached yet.
6. **Apply the order.** Reorder your list by hand, or use a tool that does it for you.
7. **Watch from the top.** Start with the first tutorial and move down the list.
8. **Keep a cut list or sketch as you go.** Short videos pass quickly, so jot down measurements and steps for each one.
9. **Review after the first project.** If the order does not match how you work in the shop, change it.

## Tools that can do it

You do not need software for this. Here are options to consider.

**Paper list or sticky note.** You write each title and running time and rank them by hand. Nothing needs to be installed, and the order stays on your bench for as long as you keep it.

**A spreadsheet.** A column for the title, a column for the running time and a sort on that time column gives you a shortest-first list. Facts about specific spreadsheet apps are not given here, so check the app's own page for its limits and cost before you rely on it.

**YTSort.** YTSort is made by the team that publishes this site. YTSort is free, and all install options include the same features. [^1] It is a free browser tool that reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [^1] It sorts the full playlist, not only the videos loaded on screen. [^1] Before anything changes, it shows the before and after order so you can check it. [^1] It can also sort only the tutorials within a length range and move the rest to the end. [^1]

You can get YTSort as a bookmark that runs it, a browser script, or a Chrome Web Store extension. [^1] The extension needs Chrome or Edge, and the script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [^1] YTSort reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [^1]

## Common mistakes to avoid

**Sorting a build series without checking dependencies.** A pure shortest-first order can put a later step before the one it needs. Keep dependent tutorials together.

**Trusting the order without a read-through.** A quick look from top to bottom catches a tutorial that ended up in an odd spot.

**Forgetting the long tutorials.** Moving them to the end is fine, but give them a set evening or they may never get done.

**Trying to reorder a playlist you do not own.** Check who owns it first. YTSort reorders a YouTube playlist you own. [^1] For another playlist, use a written list to keep track of the tutorial order.

**Watching without notes.** Short tutorials go by fast, so a few measurements per video keep the project on track.

**Never reviewing the order.** If the order does not match how you work, change the approach instead of sticking with it.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do you put the shortest woodworking tutorials first in a playlist?

Write down each tutorial with its running time, rank them from shortest to longest, and then reorder the playlist by hand to match. Keep any tutorials that build on each other in their original sequence, and read the finished list once before you start. If the playlist is not yours, use a written list to keep track of the order.

### How do you sort a build tutorial playlist from shortest to longest?

List every tutorial with its running time, then rank the list from shortest to longest. Mark any steps that depend on earlier tutorials and keep those together. A spreadsheet can do the ranking for you once you fill in a time column. Check the order against the build before you commit, because a tutorial that uses a joint you have not learned yet belongs later in the series.

### Can YTSort show the new tutorial order before it is applied?

Yes. YTSort shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. [^1] It can also sort only the tutorials within a length range and move the rest to the end. [^1] It sorts the full playlist, so the whole series is covered and not only the tutorials loaded on screen. [^1] Read the preview once before you confirm, especially for a series with steps that depend on each other.

### Which browsers work with YTSort?

The browser extension needs Chrome or Edge. The script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [^1] You can also run YTSort as a bookmark, a browser script, or a Chrome Web Store extension, whichever suits your setup. [^1] Follow the instructions for the option you pick.

### Should woodworking hobbyists always watch the shortest tutorials first?

Not always. A build series often has steps that depend on earlier ones, so keep those in order even when a shorter tutorial sits further down the list. Shortest first can suit a free hour in the shop when you want a quick win. For longer projects, review the order after the first few sessions and change it if the build is not coming together.

YTSort is free; all install options include the same features. [^1] - [Visit YTSort](/go/start-ytsort)

## Sources

[^1]: YTSort's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/start-ytsort)