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YouTube Live bitrate calculator
Find your stream’s resolution and frame rate, then read the recommended value under the codec you use. The minimum is YouTube’s listed lower figure; the recommended value is the target to use when your connection can sustain it. Values are in Mbps and cover video only—not audio or a backup stream.
| Resolution and frame rate | AV1/H.265 minimum | AV1/H.265 recommended | H.264 minimum | H.264 recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K), 60 fps | 10 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K), 30 fps | 8 Mbps | 30 Mbps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p, 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 24 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p, 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p, 60 fps | 4 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p, 30 fps | 4 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p, 60 fps | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p, 30 fps | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p, 30 fps | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p, 30 fps | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
Source: YouTube Help, “Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions”. The figures are YouTube’s recommended live-ingestion settings; its support page does not show a publication date.
How to choose the right number
Match the encoder codec
Check the video encoder setting in your streaming software or hardware. If it sends H.264, use the H.264 columns. If it sends AV1 or H.265/HEVC, use the AV1/H.265 columns. For example, YouTube recommends 17 Mbps for H.264 at 1080p60, compared with 12 Mbps for AV1/H.265 at the same resolution and frame rate. At 1080p30, the corresponding recommendations are 14 Mbps and 10 Mbps.
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Match the output resolution and frame rate
Use the resolution and frame rate actually being sent to YouTube, not just the source file’s properties or your monitor’s display settings. If the encoder is set to 1080p at 60 fps, use the 1080p60 row. YouTube detects resolution and frame rate automatically by default. To choose a resolution manually, YouTube says to create a custom stream key and enable manual settings under Stream Resolution.
Check that your connection can sustain it
The table is a video bitrate target, not a promise that your internet connection can carry the stream reliably. YouTube says outbound upload bandwidth matters, recommends leaving 20% room, and warns that shared networks can reduce the bandwidth available to your stream. Include audio and any backup stream when estimating total use. If the recommended setting will not fit with headroom, lowering the resolution or frame rate is a practical way to reduce the required bitrate.
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For a single stream, a useful capacity check is: video bitrate + audio bitrate, with additional upload capacity left over. YouTube’s recommended 20% room is a guide for the total streamed bitrate. If you send both primary and backup streams, YouTube recommends capacity for primary plus backup plus 20%.
Encoder settings that affect a live stream
YouTube’s encoder guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS, H.264, H.265/HEVC or AV1 video, and frame rates up to 60 fps. For bitrate encoding, it recommends constant bitrate (CBR) and a 2-second keyframe frequency; the keyframe interval should not exceed 4 seconds.
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- Audio: AAC or MP3. YouTube lists 44.1 kHz for stereo or 48 kHz for 5.1 surround; its listed audio bitrates are 128 kbps for stereo and 384 kbps for 5.1. These add to network use but are not included in the video table. 5.1 surround is supported only for AAC over RTMP/RTMPS.
- Advanced video guidance: square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC.
- SDR color: Rec. 709 and 8-bit depth.
HDR has separate requirements; do not apply the ordinary SDR guidance as a complete HDR setup. YouTube’s HDR live-streaming instructions specify conditions that include HEVC, 10-bit video, compatible BT.2020 color metadata and HLS requirements for compatible hardware encoders. The encoder-settings guidance says AV1 is not supported for HDR.
Test bandwidth and stream health before going live
- Measure upload capacity. Test the connection you will use for the broadcast. Compare its sustained upload capacity—not download speed—with the total bitrate you plan to send, leaving the recommended room for variation.
- Test a realistic scene. YouTube advises testing with audio and movement similar to the intended broadcast. A static test screen may not reveal the same problems as a fast-moving scene.
- Check the Live Control Room preview. YouTube suggests setting up at least two hours before the event and starting the encoder at least 15 minutes before it. Review the preview, audio and video quality, stream-health messages, and whether viewers can access the stream.
- Adjust if the connection is unstable. If the stream drops frames or health warnings appear, check whether other devices or applications are using the connection. Reduce the video bitrate, resolution or frame rate if needed, then test again.
YouTube’s practical instruction is simple: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.” Its full encoder settings guidance and streaming tips explain the platform’s recommended setup and checks.
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Latency and 4K considerations
Bitrate and latency solve different problems: bitrate is the data rate sent by the encoder; latency is the delay between the broadcast and what viewers see. YouTube notes that lower latency can cause more playback buffering. It matters less for streams where the creator does not interact with viewers. YouTube says 2160p/4K does not offer the “improve for low latency” option and is optimized for quality at normal latency. See YouTube’s live-stream latency settings.
Common bitrate and stream problems
- Encoder reports dropped frames or YouTube shows poor stream health: the upload path may not sustain the configured bitrate, especially when the connection is shared. Test upload speed, reduce competing traffic, and lower bitrate or output resolution if needed.
- The number in the table seems too high or too low: verify that you chose the correct codec column and the actual output frame rate. H.264 and AV1/H.265 recommendations are not interchangeable.
- Viewers experience buffering despite a stable encoder: this can relate to playback conditions, not only ingest bitrate. Review latency settings and test playback on the networks and devices your audience uses.
- Resolution differs from what you expected: YouTube detects it automatically by default. If you need to set it manually, use a custom stream key and the manual Stream Resolution setting.
- HDR looks wrong or is unavailable: SDR table values do not configure HDR. Confirm the encoder, bit depth, color metadata and protocol against YouTube’s dedicated HDR requirements.
- You are encoding an uploaded video rather than broadcasting live: use YouTube’s separate upload-encoding recommendations; live-ingestion bitrate settings in this calculator are for streams sent to YouTube in real time.
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