YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month for individuals in the United States
YouTube Premium is YouTube's paid subscription tier. The standard individual plan costs $13.99 per month. YouTube also offers a family plan for $22.99 per month that covers up to six household members, and a student plan for $6.99 per month if you have a valid .edu email address. Prices vary by country and can change, so check YouTube's official pricing page for your location.
When you subscribe, you pay through your Google Account. YouTube bills you monthly on the same date each month. You can cancel anytime, and your access ends at the end of your current billing period — you do not get a refund for the unused portion of the month.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month for one person, $22.99 per month for a family of up to six, and $6.99 per month for students with a .edu email.
- The subscription removes ads from videos, lets you read videos to watch offline, and enables background play on mobile devices.
- YouTube Music Premium is included with YouTube Premium at no extra cost.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Google Account settings, and your access stops at the end of your current billing cycle.
What YouTube Premium includes
YouTube Premium removes all ads from videos — both the ads that play before a video starts and the ads that appear during playback. You will not see banner ads on the YouTube homepage or search results either. This applies to all videos on the platform, not just certain channels.
The subscription also lets you read videos to your phone or tablet and watch them later without an internet connection. Downloaded videos stay on your device for up to 30 days, and you can only watch them in the YouTube app. You cannot transfer them to other apps or devices.
Background play is another feature: on mobile devices, you can close the YouTube app or lock your phone and the video keeps playing. Without Premium, the video stops when you leave the app. YouTube Music Premium is bundled in at no extra cost, so you can stream music ad-free and read songs to listen offline.
Family plan details and how it works
The YouTube Premium Family plan costs $22.99 per month and covers up to six people in your household. One person (the family manager) sets up the plan and invites the other five members through their Google Account. Each person gets their own YouTube account and their own recommendations, watch history, and downloads — the subscription does not combine your viewing.
Family members do not need to live at the same address, but YouTube does check that you are part of the same household. If you move or change your living situation, you may need to update your family group. Each member can use the features independently: they get ad-free viewing, downloads, and background play on their own devices.
Student plan pricing and requirements
YouTube Premium for Students costs $6.99 per month, half the price of the standard plan. To use it, you need a valid .edu email address from an accredited college or university. YouTube verifies your student status through SheerID, a third-party service that checks your school records.
The student plan includes all the same features as the regular Premium subscription: ad-free viewing, downloads, background play, and YouTube Music Premium. If you graduate or leave school, you will need to switch to the standard plan or cancel. YouTube will notify you when your student status is about to expire.
How to check your current subscription and billing
To see what plan you are on and what you are paying, go to YouTube.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Purchases and memberships." You will see your current subscription, your next billing date, and your payment method. This page also shows your billing history if you need to review past charges.
If you want to change your plan — for example, switching from individual to family — you can do that on the same page. Click "Manage" next to your subscription and choose a different plan. The change takes effect when ready, and YouTube adjusts your next billing date proportionally if you are switching to a more or less expensive plan mid-cycle.
How to cancel YouTube Premium
To cancel, go to your "Purchases and memberships" page, click "Manage" next to your YouTube Premium subscription, and select "Cancel membership." YouTube will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay — you can accept or decline. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period, and then it stops.
If you cancel and then change your mind, you can resubscribe at any time. YouTube does not penalize you for canceling and coming back. Your watch history and playlists stay on your account even after your subscription ends, but you will see ads again and cannot read videos or use background play.
Comparing YouTube Premium to other ad-free options
YouTube Premium is the only official way to remove ads from YouTube videos. Some third-party apps claim to block YouTube ads, but they violate YouTube's terms of service and may expose your device to security risks. YouTube can ban your account if you use them.
If you use other Google services, YouTube Premium does not include YouTube TV (a live TV streaming service) or Google One storage. YouTube Music Premium is included, but that is separate from YouTube Premium — you cannot buy YouTube Music alone at a lower price if you already have Premium. If you only want music streaming without the YouTube video features, YouTube Music Premium costs $10.99 per month on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my YouTube Premium account with family members?
The family plan is the official way to share. If you use the individual plan and share your password with others, you are violating YouTube's terms of service. YouTube may disable your account if it detects sharing across multiple households or devices.
Do I get a free trial before I pay?
YouTube occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers, but this varies by region and changes over time. Check the YouTube Premium sign-up page to see if a trial is currently available in your area. If one is offered, you will not be charged until the trial ends.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel?
Downloaded videos become unwatchable once your subscription ends. You cannot save them or convert them to another format. If you resubscribe later, you will need to read them again.
Can I use YouTube Premium on multiple devices?
Yes. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, and smart TV as long as you are signed into the same Google Account. YouTube Premium does not limit the number of devices, but you can only stream on one device at a time with the individual plan.
Does YouTube Premium work on all devices?
YouTube Premium works on phones, tablets, computers, and most smart TVs. Some older devices or third-party apps may not support all features. Background play, for example, only works on mobile devices, not on desktop or TV.