To use RTMPS with FFmpeg, copy the RTMPS server URL and stream key for your broadcast from YouTube Live Control Room, then send an FLV stream to that endpoint. RTMPS is RTMP protected by SSL/TLS. YouTube recommends it for encrypted ingest. The URL is specific to the stream, so do not substitute an example endpoint.
1. Get the RTMPS URL and stream key from YouTube
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Open YouTube Live Control Room for the stream you intend to use.
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In the stream settings, use the lock icon in the Stream URL field to reveal the RTMPS URL. Copy that URL and the stream key shown for the same stream.
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Keep the key private. Treat it like a password: do not put it in public logs, screenshots, or repositories. If it is compromised, an authorized channel owner or manager can reset it.
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FFmpeg accepts a destination URL, whereas some encoders expose separate server and key fields. For a direct FFmpeg command, use the exact endpoint and key format shown for your stream; YouTube’s endpoint values can vary. See YouTube’s streaming troubleshooting guidance if you need help locating or validating the server details.
2. Send a file with FFmpeg
This template reads a file in real time and sends it as an FLV stream. Replace INPUT with your media file and replace the destination placeholder with the RTMPS URL and key details from Live Control Room.
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ffmpeg -re -i INPUT
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast
-b:v 6000k -maxrate 6000k -bufsize 12000k -g 60
-c:a aac -b:a 128k
-f flv 'rtmps://YOUTUBE_URL_WITH_STREAM_KEY'-rereads file input at its natural rate rather than sending it as fast as possible.-c:v libx264selects H.264 encoding;-preset veryfasttrades some compression efficiency for lower encoding workload.-b:v,-maxrate, and-bufsizeset illustrative video rate-control values. The example’s 6000 kbps video rate is not a universal recommendation; set it for the chosen resolution, frame rate, codec, network, and hardware.-g 60sets a 60-frame GOP. At 30 fps that is a two-second keyframe interval; at another frame rate, adjust the value to keep the interval near two seconds.-c:a aac -b:a 128kselects AAC audio at 128 kbps.-f flvselects the container used by FFmpeg’s general RTMP-family streaming pattern.
Check that your installed FFmpeg build includes the encoder you choose. The available encoders depend on how FFmpeg was built; the command above uses libx264.
3. Choose settings for your video and connection
RTMPS itself does not dictate a resolution or bitrate. YouTube’s current encoder guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 video options, frame rates up to 60 fps, constant bitrate (CBR), and a recommended two-second keyframe interval that should not exceed four seconds. Use the bitrate for your actual codec, resolution, and frame rate rather than copying the template’s illustrative rate. These recommendations are from YouTube’s encoder settings guidance, checked in 2026.
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| Target | H.264 recommended bitrate | AV1 or H.265 recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p, 30 fps | 14 Mbps (YouTube guidance, checked 2026) | 10 Mbps (YouTube guidance, checked 2026) |
| 720p, 30 fps | 8 Mbps (YouTube guidance, checked 2026) | 6 Mbps (YouTube guidance, checked 2026) |
These are YouTube recommendations, not guarantees of picture quality or rates every connection can sustain. If your upload connection or encoder cannot reliably maintain the selected bitrate, lower the target settings rather than allowing repeated interruptions.
Audio, color, and keyframes
- Stereo: YouTube recommends AAC or MP3 audio; for stereo it lists 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps.
- 5.1 audio: YouTube lists 48 kHz and 384 kbps, and says 5.1 audio over RTMP/RTMPS is supported only with AAC.
- SDR color: YouTube recommends Rec. 709.
- Keyframes: Aim for one every two seconds and do not exceed a four-second interval. Convert the interval to frames for your output frame rate.
- Rate control: Use CBR as recommended for encoder ingest, and match the target bitrate to YouTube’s guidance for your chosen codec and video mode.
Leave upload headroom
YouTube recommends leaving 20% upload headroom, according to its streaming tips checked in 2026. Allow for the stream’s bitrate plus any backup feed when assessing available upload capacity. A connection that only matches the configured stream rate has no reserve for variation. Test the actual connection and hardware with representative video and audio before the event.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.4. Start the stream and confirm YouTube receives it
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Run the FFmpeg command and watch its output for connection or encoding errors. Keep the command window private if the destination contains your stream key.
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Open the stream’s preview in Live Control Room and confirm YouTube is receiving video and audio. Check the stream health indicators before starting the public broadcast.
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Test with representative motion and sound, not only a static frame or silent clip. Monitor the connection and stream health through the test.
YouTube’s encoder guidance describes RTMPS as a secure extension to RTMP and recommends streaming to YouTube Live with it. That security applies to the ingest connection; it does not grant rights to the material you broadcast. Use content you own or are authorized to stream, and check YouTube’s copyright and live-stream rules before broadcasting. A technically successful connection does not establish that a stream complies with those rules.
5. Troubleshoot connection and quality problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg cannot connect | Wrong or stale endpoint, mismatched key, network restriction, or an FFmpeg build without RTMPS support. | Copy the RTMPS URL and key again from the same Live Control Room stream; confirm the endpoint and key formatting, then verify RTMPS support in your installed FFmpeg build. |
| SSL or TLS error | Incorrect server URL, certificate trust problem, or blocked network path. | Verify the exact RTMPS endpoint first. If the SSL error persists, YouTube’s troubleshooting guidance suggests explicitly setting port 443. Check your network path and trusted certificate authority configuration. |
| Certificate verification fails | FFmpeg cannot validate the peer certificate with the available trust configuration. | FFmpeg documents TLS peer verification and certificate-authority configuration in its TLS protocol documentation. Correct the endpoint and CA configuration; do not routinely disable certificate verification. |
| Stream connects but drops or buffers | Upload capacity is insufficient or unstable for the configured bitrate, particularly when a backup feed also uses bandwidth. | Check actual upload capacity, leave the recommended headroom, and lower bitrate or output settings if the connection cannot sustain them. |
| Video or audio is missing or wrong | Input streams, selected encoders, or output settings do not match the source or intended format. | Inspect the input and FFmpeg output for encoding errors, confirm the chosen encoder exists in the build, and test both picture and sound in the YouTube preview. |
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