The Best YouTube Bitrate for Different Resolution

Good videos are what most YouTube content creators aim for, and YouTube bitrate is a critical dimension of the entire process. So while you choose an upload size based on the recommended upload sizes that YouTube recommends, and one matches, you get high-quality videos that your audience loves and relates to. In this article, we will explore some more related aspects.

Part 1: What is YouTube Bitrate?

Bitrate refers to the number of bits processed every second of a video or audio file. In other words, it determines the size and quality of a media file. It can be measured in Megabits per second or kilobits per second. In addition, it works directly to how smooth and clear a video appears, as the bitrate on YouTube would differ depending on the connection speed of different viewers.

Part 2: How Bitrate Affects YouTube Videos

Bitrate is a critical factor that directly influences many aspects of your YouTube video.

• Video Quality: The most impact is increasing this bitrate, which would make the video quality significantly higher, especially in cases of images with intricate graphics or frames with fast motions. Similarly, ensuring the correct aspect ratio can further enhance the clarity and framing of your content.
• Loading Speed: Download speeds are just fast enough to facilitate the smooth use of large bandwidth video content, and hence, this is an issue with which most subscribers might now again face buffering situations due to slow networks. This can lead to interruptions during the live stream, which could negatively affect the viewer's experience.
• Storage and Upload Time: Any later bitrates that are higher than normal would take longer to go up and use up more space.
• Compatibility: High bit rates might get rejected by some devices or networks.

Part 3: The Best YouTube Bitrate for Different Resolutions

YouTube recommends specific bitrates for videos based on their resolution and frame rate. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. 1080p (Full HD)

• Standard Frame Rate (24, 25, 30 fps): 8 Mbps
• High Frame Rate (48, 50, 60 fps): 12 Mbps
• Recommended Upload Speed: Minimum of 10 Mbps

2. 1440p (2K)

• Standard Frame Rate: 16 Mbps
• High Frame Rate: 24 Mbps
• Recommended Upload Speed: Minimum of 15 Mbps

3. 2160p (4K UHD)

• Standard Frame Rate: 35-45 Mbps
• High Frame Rate: 53-68 Mbps
• Recommended Upload Speed: Minimum of 50 Mbps

4. 720p (HD)

• Standard Frame Rate: 5 Mbps
• High Frame Rate: 7.5 Mbps
• Recommended Upload Speed: Minimum of 5 Mbps

Part 4: The Best YouTube Audio Bitrate

The following audio bitrates are supported by YouTube:

Audio Codec AAC-LC:

• Stereo: At least 128 kbps
• 5.1 Surround Sound: At least 384 Kbps

For stereo audio on YouTube, a bitrate of 192 Kbps is believed to be the ideal one since it has a good trade-off between file size and quality. To maintain clarity and interest, ensure that your audio recording is of good caliber.

Part 5: How to Change YouTube Bitrate with OBS

OBS Studio is a popular live streaming and video recording application that allows users to modify bitrate parameters for the best YouTube uploads. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Launch OBS Studio

• Open OBS, then click on Settings in the lower-right corner.

Step 2: Output Tab

• Click on the Output tab.
• Locate the Video Bitrate option under the Streaming section.

Step 3: Set the Bitrate You Need

• For streaming at 30 frames per second, 1080p, a bitrate of 4500 - 9000 Kbps should be set.
• If you want to stream 4K at 60 frames per second, then it should be set between 20,000 and 50,000 Kbps.

Step 4: Make Encoder Settings

• Software encoding requires x264 while hardware encoding requires NVENC (H.264).
• Encode streams with high resolution on the hardware.

Step 5: Check and Save Configuration

• A test stream ensures smooth playback.
• Click on Apply, and the OK button will save the settings.

Step 6: Adjust the Audio Bitrate

• For stereo output, select the Audio section and adjust the bitrate to 128 Kbps.

Tip: Lower the bitrate a little if you experience a buffer on your upload speed for your stream.

Part 6: Testing and Adjusting YouTube Streaming Bitrate

Ensure quality by testing your video bitrate. Here's what to do:

• Upload Test: Create a very short video and upload it to YouTube. See how well it plays at different resolutions.
• Analyze Metrics: Use the Playback Settings feature in your YouTube Studio to check for any issues, such as buffer or low resolution.
• Make the Required Fine-tuning: Lower the bitrate, and retest it.
• Test on Different Hardware: To ensure that the playback is stable, run a test on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices.
• View Streams Live: To analyze where frames drop and to adjust bitrates on a live stream in real-time, leverage the OBS Stat panel.

FAQs About YouTube Bitrate

1. What bitrate is YouTube?

YouTube does not use a fixed bitrate. The platform adjusts bitrate based on your video resolution, frame rate, and whether you are streaming or uploading. Higher resolutions require higher bitrates to look clear. If your bitrate is too low, YouTube compression can make videos look blurry.

2. How much bitrate is needed for 1080p 60fps on YouTube?

A good bitrate for 1080p at 60fps is usually around 6,000–9,000 kbps. This helps keep motion smooth and details sharp. Fast-moving content like gaming or sports needs more bitrate. If your upload speed is limited, lowering the frame rate to 30fps can help.

3. Is 500 kbps enough for YouTube?

No, 500 kbps is usually too low for a YouTube video. At this bitrate, videos often look very blurry and pixelated. It may work only for very low resolutions or audio-focused streams. For stable and clear video, a higher bitrate is strongly recommended.

4. What bitrate does YouTube recommend for live streaming?

YouTube recommends different bitrates based on resolution. For 720p, 1,500–4,000 kbps works well, while 1080p usually needs 4,500–9,000 kbps. The right choice depends on your internet speed. Clean camera sources, including auto-tracking cameras like OBSBOT Tail 2, benefit from proper bitrate settings.

5. Does a higher bitrate always mean better quality on YouTube?

No, a higher bitrate does not always mean better quality. If your resolution or source quality is low, extra bitrate won’t help much. Too much bitrate can also cause dropped frames or stream instability. The best results come from matching bitrate to resolution and upload speed.

6. How do I change bitrate settings in OBS for YouTube?

You can change it easily in OBS settings. Go to Output, select Streaming, and adjust the bitrate value. Do this before starting your stream for best results. Testing different settings helps find the right balance between quality and stability.

Conclusion

Choosing the correct bitrate for YouTube streaming ensures that it will play high-quality for all viewers and ensure network and device compatibility. It's important to know and use YouTube's recommended bitrate, especially when shooting in 1080p or 4K, which cannot be overemphasized. Adjusting the bitrate settings of your uploads or live streams is simple to do and can be experimented with using applications like OBS Studio.