Free tool, no sign upYouTube live bitrate calculator
Pick your resolution and frame rate to get YouTube's recommended live bitrate, encoder settings and the upload speed you need, based on YouTube's own encoder guidance.
Recommended video bitrate
14 Mbps
Minimum 5 Mbps. H.264, CBR.
Upload speed to aim for
21.2 Mbps
At least 7.7 Mbps at the minimum setting.
Data per hour
6.4 GB
At the recommended bitrate, video plus audio.
- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 30 fps
- Video codec
- H.264, CBR (constant bitrate)
- Keyframe interval
- 2 seconds (60 frames)
- Audio
- AAC (or MP3), 128 Kbps stereo
- Sample rate
- 44.1 kHz stereo (48 kHz is also widely used)
- Protocol
- RTMP or RTMPS
Per YouTube's live encoder guidance (H.264, RTMP). YouTube revises these numbers from time to time.
| Resolution | 30 fps (min / recommended) | 60 fps (min / recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| 4K (2160p) | 11 Mbps / 42 Mbps | 14 Mbps / 50 Mbps |
| 1440p | 7 Mbps / 21 Mbps | 8 Mbps / 34 Mbps |
| 1080p | 5 Mbps / 14 Mbps | 6 Mbps / 17 Mbps |
| 720p | 3 Mbps / 8 Mbps | 3 Mbps / 8 Mbps |
| 480p | 400 Kbps / 4 Mbps | Not listed |
| 360p | 400 Kbps / 4 Mbps | Not listed |
Where these numbers come from
The bitrates come from YouTube Help's page "Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions", using the H.264 over RTMP table. YouTube lists a minimum and a recommended bitrate for each resolution and frame rate. It lists 480p and 360p at 30 fps only, so choosing 60 fps for those uses the 30 fps row. YouTube updates this page from time to time, so check it before a big launch.
Upload speed is the recommended video bitrate plus 128 Kbps of audio, multiplied by 1.5 for headroom. Data per hour is the same total bitrate over 3,600 seconds, shown in decimal gigabytes.
Settings that matter as much as bitrate
A stream that's too heavy for the connection buffers, drops frames and shows ingest warnings in YouTube Studio. These settings, straight from YouTube's encoder guidance, keep it stable:
- ·Protocol: RTMP or RTMPS. Video codec: H.264, up to 60 fps.
- ·Rate control: CBR (constant bitrate).
- ·Keyframe interval: 2 seconds recommended, 4 seconds maximum.
- ·Frame types: Progressive scan, 2 B-frames, 1 reference frame.
- ·Audio: AAC (or MP3), 128 Kbps stereo, 44.1 kHz stereo (48 kHz is also widely used).
Streaming 24/7? Upload speed is only half of it
A home connection that handles a two hour stream can still struggle for weeks on end: data caps, router restarts, ISP maintenance and a PC that has to stay awake all add up. At the 1080p recommended rate, one stream moves several gigabytes every hour, all month.
Loopcast streams from the cloud instead, so your upload speed and your PC are out of the picture once your videos are uploaded. See how the costs compare in the 24/7 stream cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I use for a 1080p YouTube live stream?
YouTube's encoder guidance lists a minimum of 5 Mbps and a recommended 14 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps, and a minimum of 6 Mbps and a recommended 17 Mbps for 1080p at 60 fps, using H.264. If your upload can't sustain the recommended number with headroom, drop the bitrate or the resolution rather than letting the stream buffer.
What keyframe interval does YouTube want?
YouTube recommends a keyframe every 2 seconds and accepts up to 4 seconds. At 30 fps that is a keyframe every 60 frames, at 60 fps every 120 frames. Longer intervals can cause buffering and ingest warnings in YouTube Studio.
How much upload speed do I need to stream to YouTube?
A common rule of thumb is about 1.5 times your total stream bitrate (video plus audio), so the connection never runs flat out. For 1080p at 30 fps at the recommended 14 Mbps, that is roughly 21 Mbps of steady upload. Test your real upload speed at the time of day you plan to stream.
Should I use CBR or VBR for YouTube Live?
YouTube asks for CBR, constant bitrate, for live encoders. It keeps the data rate steady, which is what live ingest handles best.
What audio settings does YouTube recommend for live streams?
AAC (MP3 is also accepted) at 128 Kbps for stereo, or 384 Kbps for 5.1 surround. YouTube lists 44.1 kHz for stereo and 48 kHz for 5.1. Many encoders default to 48 kHz stereo, which works fine too.
Run this 24/7 without your PC or your upload speed
Upload your videos once and Loopcast keeps them live on YouTube around the clock from the cloud. No OBS, no encoder settings, no always on computer. Try Loopcast free.
Free 24 hour live trial included. No card required. See pricing
More free tools
We use cookies for analytics and advertising to understand how people use Loopcast and measure our marketing. See our Privacy Policy for details.