To send a live stream from FFmpeg to YouTube in H.264 video and AAC audio, encode the input with an H.264 encoder and AAC, use constant bitrate (CBR), set keyframes about every two seconds, and send the output to YouTube over RTMPS when your FFmpeg build supports it. Choose bitrate for your resolution and frame rate, then test and check stream health in YouTube Live Control Room before relying on the setup.
Choose settings for YouTube Live
YouTube’s live encoder guidance supports H.264 video and AAC audio over RTMP/RTMPS, recommends CBR, supports frame rates up to 60 fps, and recommends a two-second keyframe interval. Do not exceed four seconds between keyframes. The bitrate values below are YouTube recommendations, verified against its live-maintained guidance on October 3, 2026; they are not a guarantee of image quality or a stable connection.
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| Output | Recommended H.264 video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps |
Use the recommendation matching the resolution and frame rate you actually send. Your upload connection needs headroom beyond the stream’s bitrate; if it cannot sustain the output, lower the resolution, frame rate, or bitrate rather than assuming the recommended number will make an unstable connection reliable.
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For stereo, YouTube lists AAC at 128 Kbps and a 44.1 kHz sample rate. Its guidance lists 48 kHz and 384 Kbps for 5.1 audio. Choose the audio layout that matches your source and stream setup; the 5.1 figures do not apply to stereo.
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RTMPS and keyframes
YouTube recommends RTMPS, a secure extension of RTMP. YouTube says the data is encrypted on the way into and through Google’s servers. Configure the RTMPS destination provided by your YouTube Live setup, if your installed FFmpeg build supports the necessary protocol.
A two-second keyframe interval is a time interval, not a fixed frame count. When using an encoder option expressed as a GOP size in frames, calculate it from your output frame rate: for example, a 30 fps output needs a GOP corresponding to 60 frames for two seconds. This example illustrates the calculation; it is not a universal command-line setting.
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Build the command around your input
There is no single FFmpeg command that applies to every file, capture device, input stream, FFmpeg build, and YouTube setup. Start with the real input and choose an H.264 encoder available in your installation. Add AAC encoding and the output settings after the input, before the RTMPS destination. FFmpeg options normally apply to the next input or output, so placement matters.
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- Identify the input. Use the path to the video file, capture source, or other input you intend to stream. Add any options needed specifically for that input before its
-iargument. - Select the streams. If the input contains multiple video or audio streams, use FFmpeg’s
-mapoption to select the intended ones explicitly. Otherwise, automatic stream selection may not choose the tracks you expect. - Set the output encoding. Choose an H.264 video encoder available in your build and encode audio as AAC. Set CBR and the bitrate appropriate for the output resolution and frame rate. Put these output options after the input and before the destination.
- Set the GOP cadence. Configure the encoder’s keyframe or GOP option to produce keyframes about every two seconds at your chosen output frame rate, without exceeding YouTube’s four-second maximum interval.
- Set the destination. Use the RTMPS server address and stream key shown in your YouTube Live setup. Treat the key like a password: do not put it in a public command, screenshot, log, or article.
- Test the ingest. Send representative motion and audio, then inspect YouTube Live Control Room’s stream health and messages before the actual event.
The general command shape is ffmpeg [input options] -i INPUT [stream mapping and output encoding options] RTMPS_DESTINATION. It is a syntax outline, not a ready-to-run command: the input, encoder name, option values, RTMPS address, and stream key depend on your setup. Check the FFmpeg documentation and your local build for supported encoders and protocols.
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Transcoding is different from streamcopy
If the source is not already encoded as the formats and settings you need, use transcoding: FFmpeg decodes the source and encodes it again as H.264 video and AAC audio. This can consume substantial processing power and, because encoding is typically lossy, may reduce quality.
-c copy performs streamcopy instead: it passes encoded packets through without decoding and re-encoding. It therefore does not convert a source to H.264 or AAC. Streamcopy is suitable only when the existing streams are already compatible with the destination and the output requirements.
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Check the setup before going live
- Confirm the selected output resolution and frame rate match the bitrate recommendation you chose.
- Confirm your H.264 encoder and AAC encoder are available in this FFmpeg build; available encoders and protocol support can vary by installation.
- Check that output options appear after the relevant input and before the output URL.
- Verify that the keyframe interval is about two seconds at the output frame rate and never over four seconds.
- Test with representative movement and audio, not a static screen or silent segment if the real stream contains motion and sound.
- Watch YouTube’s stream health and messages during the test and the event.
Troubleshooting common problems
YouTube does not receive the stream
Check that the destination uses the server address and stream key from the active YouTube Live setup, that the key has not been mistyped or revoked, and that the FFmpeg build supports the protocol in the URL. Prefer the RTMPS destination when supported. Keep the key private while checking logs or sharing a command.
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Review the selected streams and output codec options. If a source contains multiple tracks, map the intended video and audio streams explicitly. Make sure H.264 and AAC are being encoded rather than using -c copy, which does not perform conversion.
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The stream is unstable or drops frames
Compare the sent bitrate with the sustained capacity of the upload connection and the matching YouTube recommendation. Reduce output resolution, frame rate, or bitrate if the connection cannot keep up. Check YouTube’s stream health messages and distinguish an encoding or network issue from a codec mismatch.
Keyframe interval is incorrect
Do not copy a GOP frame count from an example using a different frame rate. Convert the desired two-second interval into frames using the actual output frame rate, and check the encoder option’s meaning in your build.
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