YouTube Bitrate Calculator

Calculate optimal bitrate for YouTube uploads and live streaming. Get official YouTube recommendations for SDR and HDR content across all resolutions.

YouTube Settings Configuration
Get official YouTube bitrate recommendations for uploads and live streaming
YouTube RecommendationsOfficial
Type
Upload
Quality
SDR
Resolution
1080p
Frame Rate
24-30 fps

Video Bitrate

Recommended Range8,000 - 12,000 kbps
Minimum8,000 kbps
Maximum12,000 kbps

Audio Bitrate

Standard (Stereo)128 kbps
High Quality (5.1)384 kbps
Total Max Bitrate12,384 kbps

Technical Specifications

Video Codec
  • • H.264 (recommended for compatibility)
  • • H.265/HEVC (better compression)
  • • VP9 (Google's codec)
  • • AV1 (next-gen codec)
Audio Codec
  • • AAC-LC (recommended)
  • • MP3 (legacy support)
  • • Sample rate: 48 kHz or 96 kHz
  • • Channels: 2 (stereo) or 6 (5.1 surround)

📺 YouTube Optimization Tips

  • • Use constant bitrate (CBR) for live streaming
  • • Variable bitrate (VBR) is fine for uploads
  • • Upload in the highest quality possible - YouTube will create lower quality versions
  • • For HDR content, use Rec. 2020 color space
  • • Enable closed captions for better accessibility and SEO

YouTube Requirements

Upload Limits

  • • Max file size: 256 GB
  • • Max duration: 12 hours
  • • Max resolution: 8K (7680×4320)
  • • Supported formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV

Live Streaming

  • • Max bitrate: 51,000 kbps
  • • Max resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
  • • Max frame rate: 60 FPS
  • • Latency: Normal, Low, Ultra-low

Content Type Recommendations

Standard (SDR)

  • • 4K60: 35,000-45,000 kbps
  • • 1080p60: 8,000-12,000 kbps
  • • 720p60: 5,000-7,500 kbps
  • • Most common content type

HDR Content

  • • 4K60 HDR: 44,000-56,000 kbps
  • • 1080p60 HDR: 10,000-15,000 kbps
  • • Higher quality colors
  • • Requires HDR display

Live Streaming

  • • 1080p60: 6,000-9,000 kbps
  • • 720p60: 4,500-6,000 kbps
  • • Real-time encoding
  • • Network stability crucial

Audio Recommendations

Standard Audio

  • • Codec: AAC-LC
  • • Bitrate: 128 kbps (stereo)
  • • Sample rate: 48 kHz
  • • Channels: 2 (stereo)

High Quality Audio

  • • Codec: AAC-LC
  • • Bitrate: 384 kbps (5.1 surround)
  • • Sample rate: 96 kHz
  • • Channels: 6 (5.1 surround)

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