The disclosure relates to techniques for video packet shaping for video telephony (VT). The techniques can be used to prioritize audio packets to reduce audio delay. Channel conditions, excessive video content, or both can cause delays in audio transmission. When reverse link (RL) throughput is reduced, video packet size can overwhelm the RL and increase audio delay. The video packet may consume an excessive number of MAC RLP packets, resulting in delays between successive audio packets. The size of each video packet is adjusted so that audio packets are prioritized for transmission without substantial delay. The video packet size may be controlled based on channel conditions. The audio can be conveyed without substantial delay, even though the video may suffer from delay due to channel conditions. Although video may be compromised by channel conditions, video packet shaping ensures that the VT parties are able to smoothly carry on verbal conversation.