For a typical YouTube Live stream, set bitrate mode to CBR and the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. Choose the bitrate for your codec, resolution and frame rate from YouTube’s live recommendations. YouTube’s live guidance does not require a particular H.264 profile or a universal encoder preset; it does list advanced H.264 settings such as progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC.
Quick settings for YouTube Live
| Setting | Recommended starting point |
|---|---|
| Bitrate mode | CBR |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds; do not exceed 4 seconds |
| H.264 profile | YouTube’s live guidance does not specify a required profile |
| Encoder preset | YouTube does not specify a universal preset |
| Transport | RTMPS is recommended |
| H.264 advanced settings | Progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC |
These are YouTube’s published live-stream recommendations, not guarantees that a particular computer or connection can sustain a chosen quality. Match the stream to the upload connection and test it before the event. YouTube’s encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions guide has the current values.
Choose a bitrate by resolution and frame rate
The table gives YouTube’s H.264 live ingestion minimum and recommended bitrates in Mbps. The recommended column is a practical target when the connection can sustain it; the minimum is not a promise of good results for every kind of footage.
| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 minimum | H.264 recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K), 60 fps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K), 30 fps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p, 60 fps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p, 30 fps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p, 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p, 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p, 60 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p, 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p, 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p, 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
These figures are YouTube recommendations for H.264 live ingest. YouTube also publishes values for AV1 and H.265/HEVC; do not apply the H.264 figures to those codecs. Check the official table for the codec you select. YouTube supports H.264, H.265/HEVC and AV1 for live video at frame rates up to 60 fps, but its guidance does not establish one codec as best for every stream.
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Use a speed test and leave enough upload capacity for a stable stream. If your connection fluctuates, choosing a lower resolution or frame rate and a sustainable bitrate is safer than configuring the highest value and risking dropped frames or stream interruptions.
Set CBR, keyframes, profile and preset
CBR: the bitrate mode
Select CBR (constant bitrate) in the encoder. CBR determines the encoding mode, not the bitrate number: choose that number separately using YouTube’s recommendation for your codec, resolution and frame rate. YouTube detects encoder settings and transcodes the incoming live stream into formats for viewers.
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Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
Set keyframes to occur every 2 seconds. YouTube recommends this interval and says not to exceed 4 seconds. Encoder interfaces may label the control “keyframe interval,” “keyframe frequency” or “GOP length”; use the control that sets the interval in seconds or frames.
H.264 profile: no live-required profile is named
YouTube’s live encoder requirements do not name a required H.264 profile. They instead list advanced stream properties, including progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC. If your encoder exposes those controls, set them to match YouTube’s listed values.
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Do not mistake the separate upload guide’s High Profile recommendation for a live-stream requirement. That page concerns uploaded video files and also discusses variable bitrate; those upload recommendations do not establish the profile or bitrate mode for YouTube Live. See YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings for that separate workflow.
Preset: use encoder-specific guidance
A preset such as a software encoder’s speed or quality choice is specific to that encoder. YouTube’s live guidance does not define one preset that works for every software and hardware encoder. Choose an encoder preset your system can sustain while meeting the stream requirements, then verify the result with a representative test; avoid treating a preset name as a YouTube-wide rule.
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Audio, color and transport settings
- Transport: YouTube lists RTMP and RTMPS and recommends RTMPS.
- Audio codec: AAC or MP3. For 5.1 surround over RTMP/RTMPS, YouTube supports AAC only.
- Audio sample rate: 44.1 kHz for stereo or 48 kHz for 5.1.
- Audio bitrate: 128 Kbps for stereo or 384 Kbps for 5.1.
- Video properties: square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC; use Rec. 709 for SDR.
- HDR: YouTube recommends H.265 over RTMP(S) for HDR and does not support AV1 for HDR.
Encoder menus vary, so a control may be absent, named differently or fixed by the device. Where a control is unavailable, do not invent an equivalent setting; check the encoder maker’s documentation and confirm the resulting stream health in YouTube Studio.
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- Choose the encoder. YouTube supports computer software and standalone hardware encoders. Pick one that can produce your intended codec, resolution and frame rate. You do not need to buy hardware if your software encoder meets the requirements.
- Set the video format and bitrate. Choose resolution and frame rate, then select CBR and the corresponding YouTube H.264 bitrate (or consult YouTube’s table for AV1 or H.265/HEVC).
- Set the keyframe interval and available advanced options. Use 2 seconds for keyframes and configure the H.264 advanced properties listed above where exposed.
- Configure audio and transport. Select an audio codec and settings appropriate to stereo or 5.1, and use RTMPS where available.
- Run a representative test. Include audio and movement similar to the real event. YouTube’s advice is direct: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.”
- Monitor stream health. Watch YouTube’s stream-health feedback during the test and event. If it reports connection or encoding problems, reduce the workload—often by lowering resolution, frame rate or bitrate—and test again.
YouTube’s setup overview explains the software and hardware encoder options and typical equipment: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
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Troubleshoot common encoder-setting problems
- Unstable connection or dropped frames: The selected bitrate may exceed reliable upload capacity. Run a speed test, reduce bitrate or lower resolution/frame rate, then repeat a representative test.
- Keyframe warning: Confirm the interval is 2 seconds and does not exceed YouTube’s 4-second maximum. If the control uses frames, calculate using the selected frame rate: for example, a 2-second interval is 60 frames at 30 fps.
- Unclear profile requirement: YouTube’s live page does not mandate High Profile. Keep upload encoding advice separate from live settings and follow the actual live properties and encoder documentation.
- No matching preset in the menu: YouTube does not prescribe a universal preset name. Use the encoder’s own documentation, test under realistic load and monitor stream health.
- Picture or color mismatch: Confirm square pixels, progressive scan and Rec. 709 for SDR. For HDR, follow YouTube’s codec guidance rather than assuming AV1 is supported for HDR.
- Audio issues: Check that the encoder uses a supported codec and the appropriate sample rate and bitrate for stereo or 5.1. For 5.1 over RTMP/RTMPS, use AAC.
- Copyright or monetization concern: Encoder settings do not grant rights to the video or music. Use content you own or are authorized to stream and review YouTube’s applicable copyright and monetization rules before scheduling a long-running broadcast.
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