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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →There is no single best OBS bitrate for every 24/7 YouTube stream. Start with YouTube’s recommended ingest bitrate for your resolution, frame rate and encoder, then make sure your upload connection can sustain the total stream bitrate with headroom. For H.264, YouTube recommends 14 Mbps for 1080p30 and 17 Mbps for 1080p60. Those figures are starting points—not guarantees of an uninterrupted stream.
Recommended OBS bitrate for YouTube Live
The figures below are YouTube’s recommended live ingest settings, not viewer playback bitrates. YouTube transcodes live streams into multiple formats for viewers, so the OBS bitrate is the feed sent to YouTube; it does not promise that every viewer will receive video at that bitrate. YouTube’s current live encoder guidance, accessed October 3, 2026, lists H.264, H.265/HEVC and AV1 for RTMP/RTMPS ingestion, with recommendations that vary by codec, resolution and frame rate.
| Ingest resolution and frame rate | AV1 or H.265 recommended bitrate | H.264 recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K) at 60 fps | 35 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) at 30 fps | 30 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 24 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 15 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
Use the recommended column for the encoder you actually select. YouTube also publishes minimum settings, but a minimum is a floor rather than the direct starting point when your connection can reliably support the recommended rate.
What bitrate should I use for a 24/7 YouTube stream?
Choose a mode your connection can sustain
Pick the resolution and frame rate that suit the content and the sustained upload capacity—not simply the highest options available. A mostly static scene may not benefit from 60 fps as much as fast motion does; a higher frame rate and resolution also require more upload bandwidth at YouTube’s recommended settings.
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Use the matching codec row
For a common H.264 setup, use 14 Mbps as the recommended starting point for 1080p30 or 17 Mbps for 1080p60. If the encoder and ingest setup use AV1 or H.265/HEVC, the corresponding recommendations are 10 Mbps and 12 Mbps. Do not select a number from a different codec or frame-rate row and assume the settings are interchangeable.
Leave upload headroom
YouTube Help’s Streaming tips says: “The total bitrate you’re streaming cannot exceed the amount of upload bandwidth available. Leave a bit of room (20% recommended).” Treat that 20% as YouTube’s recommended room, not a guarantee against drops. Check sustained upload capacity rather than relying only on a download-speed result. The total stream bitrate matters when you assess available upload bandwidth.
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OBS settings that matter for YouTube ingest
- Rate control: Use CBR for live bitrate encoding.
- Keyframes: Set a 2-second keyframe interval; YouTube says not to exceed 4 seconds.
- Transport: YouTube supports RTMP/RTMPS and recommends RTMPS for encrypted transport.
- Codec and frame rate: YouTube’s listed live ingest codecs are H.264, H.265/HEVC and AV1, with frame rates up to 60 fps.
These are YouTube’s ingest recommendations. The exact OBS control labels can vary by OBS version and encoder, so check the controls shown by your installed version rather than assuming a particular menu path.
How to choose and test your 24/7 settings
- Choose resolution and frame rate. Select a mode the content benefits from and the internet connection can sustain over time.
- Match the bitrate to the ingest codec. For example, start at 14 Mbps for 1080p30 H.264 or 17 Mbps for 1080p60 H.264, based on YouTube’s recommended figures accessed October 3, 2026.
- Check upload capacity. Confirm that the sustained available upload bandwidth exceeds the stream’s total bitrate with YouTube’s recommended 20% room.
- Test representative content. Before relying on the configuration, test with audio and movement similar to the intended stream.
- Inspect stream health and messages. Monitor YouTube’s stream health and any warnings during the test and while live.
YouTube advises choosing the highest supported resolution and bitrate that can be streamed. Its settings guidance also notes that lower latency can mean more playback buffering; if the stream does not depend on audience interaction, low latency may matter less than stable playback.
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Why bitrate alone cannot make a stream reliable for 24/7
A bitrate table cannot establish that a computer, encoder, internet connection or power supply will remain available continuously. A configuration that passes a short test may still encounter changing network conditions or equipment interruptions over a long run. Test representative content, keep upload headroom and monitor stream health, but do not treat a bitrate recommendation as an uptime guarantee. YouTube’s guidance does not establish one universal configuration for continuous operation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
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