Add a video to a playlist while watching it

The fastest way to add a video to a playlist is to use the menu that appears right on the video page. Open any video on YouTube, look below the video title for a row of buttons, and click the Save button (it looks like a bookmark or flag). A dropdown menu appears showing your existing playlists — click the name of the playlist you want, and the video is added immediately.

If you do not have a playlist yet, you can create one from this same menu. Click Save, then select Create new playlist at the top of the dropdown. Type a name for your playlist, choose whether you want it private or public, then click Create. The video is added to your new playlist right away.

On mobile phones and tablets, the process is nearly identical. Tap the three dots (menu icon) below the video title, then tap Save to playlist. Choose an existing playlist or create a new one the same way you would on a computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the Save button below any video to add it to an existing playlist or create a new one instantly.
  • You can create a new playlist from the Save menu without leaving the video page.
  • Private playlists are visible only to you; public playlists can be shared with others or found through YouTube search.
  • On mobile, tap the three-dot menu below the video and select Save to playlist to add videos the same way.
  • A single video can be added to multiple playlists at once by clicking Save and selecting each playlist you want.

Add videos from your library or search results

You do not have to be watching a video to add it to a playlist. When you are browsing YouTube — whether you are looking at search results, your subscriptions, or your watch history — you can add any video without opening it. Right-click on the video thumbnail and select Add to playlist from the menu that appears. Choose your playlist, and it is added.

On mobile, long-press the video thumbnail until a menu appears, then tap Add to playlist. The same list of your playlists shows up, and you can add the video without watching it first.

This method is useful when you are collecting videos on a topic but do not want to watch them all right now. You can quickly add several videos to the same playlist while browsing, then watch them later in whatever order you choose.

Manage your playlists and reorder videos

To see all your playlists and the videos inside them, click your profile picture in the top right corner of YouTube and select Your channel. On the left side menu, click Playlists. You will see every playlist you have created. Click any playlist name to open it and see all the videos inside.

Once you are inside a playlist, you can reorder the videos by dragging them. Click and hold a video in the list, then drag it up or down to the position you want. You can also remove a video by clicking the three dots next to it and selecting Remove from playlist. These changes happen immediately and are saved automatically.

On mobile, open your profile menu, tap Your channel, then tap Playlists. Tap any playlist to open it. To remove a video, swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), then tap the delete or remove option.

Control who can see your playlists

When you create a playlist, you choose whether it is private or public. A private playlist is visible only to you — no one else can find it or see what videos are in it. A public playlist can be found by anyone through YouTube search, and anyone with the link can view it and see all the videos inside.

To change a playlist from private to public (or the other way around), open the playlist, click the three dots in the top right, and select Edit playlist. Change the privacy setting, then click Save. The change takes effect immediately.

If you want to share a public playlist with someone without them having to search for it, click the Share button at the top of the playlist page. You can copy the link and send it to anyone, or share it directly to social media.

Add videos from other channels to your playlists

You can add any video from any channel to your own playlists, whether the video is from a creator you subscribe to or someone you have never watched before. The Save button works the same way — click it, choose your playlist, and the video is added. You do not need permission from the video creator, and they will not be notified that you added their video to your playlist.

This is how most people build playlists on topics they care about. You might add cooking videos from five different channels to a single "Weeknight Dinners" playlist, or collect tutorials from various creators into a "Learning Guitar" playlist. YouTube does not limit how many videos you can add or which channels they come from.

Troubleshoot when the Save button does not appear

If you cannot see the Save button below a video, the video creator may have disabled the ability to add it to playlists. Some creators turn this off intentionally. In this case, you cannot add that specific video to a playlist, but you can still watch it and share the link with others.

If the Save button is missing on videos that normally allow it, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. On mobile, close the YouTube app completely and reopen it. If the problem continues, sign out of your YouTube account, sign back in, and try again.

If you see an error message when trying to add a video, make sure you are signed into your YouTube account. You must be logged in to create or manage playlists. If you are already signed in and still see an error, wait a few minutes and try again — temporary server issues sometimes prevent playlists from loading.

Use playlists to organize your watch later videos

Many people use playlists as a more organized version of the "Watch Later" feature. Instead of one long list of everything you might want to watch, you can create separate playlists for different moods or interests — "Comedy Specials," "Documentaries," "Music Videos," or "Cooking Shows." This makes it easier to find something to watch when you have a specific mood in mind.

You can also create playlists to share with others. A public playlist of your favorite music videos can be shared with friends, or a tutorial playlist can be shared with family members who want to learn the same skill. Once you share the link, anyone can watch the videos in order without having to search for them individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add the same video to multiple playlists at once?

Yes. Click the Save button, and a dropdown menu shows all your playlists. You can click multiple playlist names to add the video to each one. Each click adds the video to that playlist, so you can select as many as you want before closing the menu.

What happens if I delete a playlist?

The playlist is removed, but the videos themselves remain on YouTube and in any other playlists they are part of. Deleting a playlist does not delete the videos or remove them from other people's playlists. Only the playlist itself is deleted.

Can someone else add videos to my playlist?

No. Only you can add or remove videos from your playlists. Other people can view a public playlist and see what videos are in it, but they cannot change it. If you want others to contribute videos, you would need to share the playlist link and ask them to tell you which videos to add.

Do videos stay in a playlist if the creator deletes them?

No. If a video is deleted or made private by its creator, it disappears from your playlist too. The playlist entry is removed automatically, and you will see fewer videos in that playlist than you added.

Can I rearrange videos on mobile the same way as on a computer?

The drag-and-drop method does not work on mobile. Instead, open the playlist, tap the three dots next to a video, and look for a "Move" or "Change position" option. Some versions of the YouTube app let you tap and hold to drag, but this varies by device and app version.