YouTube is one of the most powerful platforms for creators who want to turn their passion into income. But one of the biggest questions new creators ask is: “How many views and subscribers do I need to start earning on YouTube?”
The answer isn’t simple, because it depends on how you earn money. Let’s break it down step by step so you can understand exactly what it takes to start making money from your channel.
The most common way to earn is through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This program allows creators to monetize their videos with ads.
To join, you need:
1,000 subscribers
4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months (for long-form videos)
OR 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days
Once you meet these requirements, you can apply for monetization.
Here’s the truth: there is no fixed number of views that guarantees income. It depends on your niche, audience location, and type of ads shown.
On average:
1,000 views = $1 to $5 from ads (called CPM – cost per thousand views).
This means 100,000 views could earn you between $100 to $500 from ads alone.
But remember, not every view shows an ad, and ad rates vary by country. For example, finance or tech videos usually earn higher CPM than general entertainment.
Subscribers are important because they help you grow, but YouTube does not pay you per subscriber.
What subscribers really do:
They watch your videos regularly.
They boost your engagement (likes, comments, shares).
They increase your chances of getting more views and higher income.
So while subscribers don’t directly earn you money, having 1,000+ subscribers is the gateway to monetization.
👉 Some new creators also explore services to buy youtube subscribers to boost their numbers in the beginning, but long-term success always comes from organic, real fans who watch your content.
Here’s the good news: you don’t always need huge numbers to earn. Many small creators make money through other methods.
Promote products and earn a commission when viewers buy through your link. Even with 1,000 views, you can make sales if your content is targeted.
Brands may pay you to feature their products, even if you only have a few thousand subscribers, as long as your audience is engaged.
Selling T-shirts, ebooks, or digital templates can bring income without waiting for millions of views.
Fans who love your content may support you directly through memberships, Patreon, or live stream donations.
Imagine you run a cooking channel with:
5,000 subscribers
Each video gets 10,000 views
If your CPM is $2, that’s $20 per video from ads. But if you include affiliate links for kitchen products, you could make an extra $50–100 per video. Add a small sponsorship deal, and suddenly, even a small channel can earn hundreds of dollars per month.
Niche – Tech, business, and finance often pay more than vlogs or comedy.
Audience Location – Viewers from the US, UK, and Canada usually bring higher ad revenue.
Engagement – Videos with high watch time and interaction get promoted more.
Content Style – Tutorials, reviews, and “how-to” videos often attract better-paying ads.
To qualify for monetization: 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours or 10M Shorts views.
To start earning noticeable ad revenue: At least 100,000+ monthly views.
To make YouTube a full-time income: Usually 1M+ monthly views, combined with other income sources.
But don’t be discouraged if you’re small. Even channels with a few thousand subscribers can make money if they diversify income streams and stay consistent.