YouTube Family Plan costs $22.99 per month in the United States
YouTube Family Plan is a shared subscription that lets up to six people in your household watch YouTube without ads. The monthly cost is $22.99 in the US, though the price varies by country. You pay one monthly bill, and everyone on the plan gets the same features — no ads on videos, offline downloads, and background play so videos keep running when you lock your phone.
The plan covers YouTube itself, but it also includes YouTube Music and YouTube Premium features for all six members. Each person gets their own account and their own recommendations, watch history, and subscriptions — they just all share the one payment.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Family Plan costs $22.99 per month in the United States and covers up to six people in one household.
- Everyone on the plan gets ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and background play on both YouTube and YouTube Music.
- Each family member has a separate account with their own watch history and recommendations, even though you share one bill.
- You need a Google account and a valid payment method to set up the plan, and you manage members through Google Family Link.
- The price may be lower if you already pay for YouTube Premium or YouTube Music individually — Google will credit what you already paid.
Who can be on a Family Plan and how to add them
A Family Plan requires that everyone live in the same household. You set it up through your Google account, and you become the family manager — the person who pays the bill and can add or remove members. The other five people can be family members, roommates, or anyone else you live with, but they all need their own Google account.
To add someone, you invite them through the Family Link section of your Google account settings. They get a notification and can accept the invite on their phone or computer. Once they accept, they immediately get access to ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music. If someone leaves your household, you can remove them from the plan at any time, and they lose access when their current billing cycle ends.
What features come with the plan
Everyone on a Family Plan gets the same four main features. First, no ads — videos play without interruption, and you won't see ads in search results or between videos. Second, offline downloads — you can save videos to your phone or tablet and watch them without internet. Third, background play — on mobile devices, videos keep playing even when you lock your screen or switch to another app. Fourth, YouTube Music included — the same ad-free, offline, background-play features work on YouTube Music too.
These features work on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. If you use YouTube on a TV, you get ad-free playback there as well. The offline download feature works on phones and tablets but not on computers or TVs.
How the price compares to paying individually
YouTube Premium alone costs $13.99 per month for one person. YouTube Music alone costs $11.99 per month. If two people in your household each paid for both, that would be $51.96 per month. The Family Plan at $22.99 per month covers six people, so the cost per person drops to about $3.83 if all six members use it.
If you already pay for YouTube Premium or YouTube Music individually, Google will credit that amount toward the Family Plan price. For example, if you pay $13.99 for YouTube Premium now, your first Family Plan bill will be reduced by that amount. This credit applies only once and only if you convert your existing subscription to the Family Plan.
How to set up a Family Plan
Start by going to YouTube.com on a computer or opening the YouTube app on your phone. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Get YouTube Premium." Choose the Family Plan option. You'll be taken to a page that shows the $22.99 monthly price and asks you to confirm your payment method.
After you complete the purchase, go to myaccount.google.com and select "Family" from the left menu. Click "Invite family members" and enter the email addresses or phone numbers of the people you want to add. They'll receive an invitation they can accept on their own device. Once they accept, they can start using ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music immediately on any device where they sign in with their Google account.
What happens if someone leaves or you cancel
If a family member moves out or you want to remove them, go to your Google Family settings and click the X next to their name. They lose access to the plan at the end of your current billing cycle — not immediately. If you cancel the entire Family Plan, everyone loses access at the end of that billing cycle, and you can switch back to a single YouTube Premium subscription or stop paying altogether.
If you downgrade from Family Plan to a single YouTube Premium subscription, the price drops to $13.99 per month. You can make this change at any time, and it takes effect on your next billing date. Google does not offer refunds for partial months.
Differences between Family Plan and other YouTube options
YouTube offers three paid tiers: YouTube Premium (one person, $13.99/month), YouTube Premium Family (six people, $22.99/month), and YouTube Music Premium (one person, $11.99/month). There is also a free version of YouTube with ads. The Family Plan is the only option that covers multiple people under one bill.
Some people wonder whether a Family Plan is the same as sharing a single account. It is not. With a Family Plan, each person has their own account, watch history, recommendations, and subscriptions. If you share a single account, everyone sees the same recommendations and watch history, and you cannot use the service on multiple devices at the same time. The Family Plan is designed so that six people can use YouTube independently while splitting the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Family Plan if I live with roommates who are not related to me?
Yes. Google defines "family" as people who live in the same household, not people who are related by blood or marriage. Roommates, partners, and anyone else in your home can be on the plan. You all need to be comfortable sharing one billing address.
What if someone on my Family Plan uses it in a different country?
Family Plan members can use the service while traveling, but the plan is tied to the country where the family manager lives. If someone moves to a different country permanently, they should be removed from the plan and set up their own subscription in their new country, because YouTube's pricing and features vary by region.
Can I have more than one Family Plan?
No. One Google account can manage only one Family Plan. If you need to set up a separate plan, you would need a different Google account to be the family manager.
Do I need a credit card to set up Family Plan?
You need a valid payment method, which can be a credit card, debit card, or Google Play balance. Google will charge your payment method on the same day each month. If your payment fails, Google will try again a few times before suspending your access.
Can family members see what others are watching?
No. Each person's watch history and recommendations are private to their own account. Family members cannot see what others have watched or what they are subscribed to, even though you share the same billing account.