YouTube Premium is getting more expensive in the U. S., with new pricing taking effect now for new customers. The change covers YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and YouTube Premium Lite, and it marks the first price increase since 2023. Existing subscribers will start seeing the new charges in their next billing cycle in June, after an email notice sent at least 30 days ahead of the change.
What Is Changing Now
The individual YouTube Premium plan is rising from $13. 99 to $15. 99 a month, while the family plan for up to six accounts is moving from $22. 99 to $26. 99. The YouTube Music individual plan is increasing from $10. 99 to $11. 99, and the family plan is rising from $16. 99 to $18. 99. YouTube Premium Lite in the U. S. is also going up, from $7. 99 to $8. 99 per month.
The service’s core appeal remains the same: ad-free viewing, background play, offline downloads, and full access to YouTube Music. Premium Lite is more limited, offering ad-free video viewing but excluding songs and music videos, while also leaving out offline downloads and background playback. For users weighing the jump, the new prices make the value of youtube premium more central to the decision than before.
Why YouTube Is Raising Prices
A YouTube spokesperson said the company is updating the price for YouTube Premium plans in the U. S. for the first time since 2023 to continue delivering a high-quality experience that supports creators and artists on YouTube. The statement added that the change is meant to help maintain the features members value most, including ad-free viewing, background play, and a library of 300 million-plus tracks on YouTube Music.
The last U. S. increase came in July 2023, when YouTube Premium moved from $11. 99 to $13. 99 a month and YouTube Music rose from $9. 99 to $10. 99. One year ago, YouTube said it had passed 125 million subscribers worldwide across YouTube Music and Premium, up from 100 million in 2024.
What Subscribers Should Expect Next
For new customers, the higher pricing is already in place. Existing customers will see the updated charges in June, and YouTube says they will receive an email confirming the new subscription price at least 30 days in advance.
The move lands amid broader price increases across streaming services, with other major platforms also raising subscription fees in recent months. For now, the immediate story is simple: youtube premium is more expensive, and the company says the new rates are meant to preserve the experience users already have.
