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The best bitrate for YouTube Live depends on the resolution and frame rate you send to YouTube, plus the codec your encoder uses. For example, YouTube recommends 14 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps with H.264, or 10 Mbps with AV1/H.265. Use YouTube’s recommended bitrate table below as a target—not a guarantee of stability—and make sure your upload connection can sustain the full stream with room to spare.
Recommended YouTube Live bitrate by resolution
These are YouTube’s live-stream ingestion recommendations, checked against its encoder guide on 2026-10-03. Each value is minimum / recommended in Mbps. Choose the column matching the codec you send to YouTube. The guide groups AV1 and H.265 together and does not provide a separate H.265 column. These figures apply to live-stream ingestion, not uploaded-video encoding.
| Ingest resolution and frame rate | AV1 / H.265 minimum / recommended | H.264 minimum / recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K) at 60 fps | 10 / 35 Mbps | 14 / 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) at 30 fps | 8 / 30 Mbps | 11 / 42 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 6 / 24 Mbps | 8 / 34 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 5 / 15 Mbps | 7 / 21 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 4 / 12 Mbps | 6 / 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 4 / 10 Mbps | 5 / 14 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 2 / 6 Mbps | 3 / 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 2 / 6 Mbps | 3 / 8 Mbps |
| 480p at 30 fps | 0.3 / 3 Mbps | 0.4 / 4 Mbps |
| 360p at 30 fps | 0.3 / 3 Mbps | 0.4 / 4 Mbps |
Source: YouTube Help: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions. The retrieved page has no visible publication or revision date. Minimum is not the same as recommended: when your connection allows it, aim for the recommended figure; if not, choose a lower resolution or frame rate that your connection can sustain.
Common gaming-stream targets
- 1080p30: 14 Mbps recommended for H.264; 10 Mbps for AV1/H.265.
- 1080p60: 17 Mbps recommended for H.264; 12 Mbps for AV1/H.265.
- 720p30 or 720p60: 8 Mbps recommended for H.264; 6 Mbps for AV1/H.265.
- 4K60: 50 Mbps recommended for H.264; 35 Mbps for AV1/H.265.
Choose the correct resolution, frame rate and codec
The table refers to the video signal your encoder sends to YouTube, also called the ingest or input stream. It does not describe the quality a viewer selects after YouTube processes the stream. Set the encoder’s output resolution and frame rate to the row you intend to use, then use the matching codec column. If you change the output resolution or frame rate, revisit the bitrate target.
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Higher resolution and frame rate can make gameplay easier to see, but they require more upload capacity. Fast action and detailed scenes can also be harder to encode cleanly than a mostly static image. YouTube’s recommended bitrate is a starting point for the listed format, not a promise that a particular connection, encoder, or game scene will look or perform identically.
Encoder settings for a YouTube Live stream
YouTube’s RTMP/RTMPS encoder guidance lists the following settings and support notes. Check your encoder’s labels; names and menu locations vary by application and device.
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| Setting | Recommended or supported value |
|---|---|
| Ingest protocol | RTMP or RTMPS; YouTube recommends RTMPS. |
| Video codec | H.264, H.265 (HEVC), or AV1. |
| Frame rate | Up to 60 fps. |
| Bitrate mode | CBR (constant bitrate). |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds recommended; do not exceed 4 seconds. |
| Audio codec | AAC or MP3. For 5.1 surround over RTMP/RTMPS, AAC is the supported option. |
| Pixel shape and scan | Square pixels and progressive scan. |
| Other listed video settings | 2 B-frames and 1 reference frame; CABAC. |
| SDR color and bit depth | Rec. 709; 8-bit SDR. |
| HDR | 10-bit HDR; YouTube recommends H.265 for HDR and says AV1 is not supported for HDR. |
| 2160p latency | 4K/2160 streams do not have the “improve for low latency” option; YouTube says they are optimized for quality at normal latency. |
These are live-encoder settings. Do not substitute YouTube’s separate recommendations for encoding videos that you upload.
Check upload speed and leave headroom
Your upload speed—not download speed—determines whether the connection can carry a live stream. YouTube says the stream’s total bitrate must not exceed available upload bandwidth and recommends 20% headroom above the stream bitrate. The percentage is YouTube’s guidance; the retrieved page shows no publication date. Other people and devices sharing the connection can reduce the bandwidth available to your encoder.
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- Run a speed test that reports upload speed from the network and location you will stream from.
- Compare that result with the total stream bitrate, including audio. Leave the recommended 20% headroom; if the connection is variable or shared, allow for that when choosing a target.
- Test the actual stream with representative game motion and audio, then watch YouTube’s stream-health indicators. A speed test alone cannot show how the encoder, route, and live session will behave together.
- If the test is unstable, lower the output resolution or frame rate and use the matching bitrate row. Do not keep a higher-quality setting that the connection cannot reliably sustain.
YouTube’s streaming tips discuss upload capacity, headroom, and shared-network limitations. The retrieved page has no visible publication or revision date.
Test before going live
For a computer-based stream, YouTube recommends an Ethernet connection. This is a recommendation, not a requirement to buy a particular cable; use a wired connection if your setup supports one and it helps provide a steadier path than Wi-Fi. YouTube also recommends testing audio, video, and equipment in an unlisted live stream before the event. Its encoder guide advises testing with audio and movement similar to the planned stream and monitoring stream health while live.
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See YouTube’s filming tips for live streams and encoder settings guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting bitrate and stream stability
- YouTube reports connection or stream-health problems: Check upload speed on the streaming connection, account for other network use, and ensure total bitrate fits within available upload bandwidth with headroom. Test again at a lower output format if needed.
- The image looks soft or blocky during fast gameplay: Confirm that the bitrate matches the actual output resolution, frame rate, and codec. If you are already at the recommended bitrate, check whether your connection can sustain it; otherwise, reduce resolution or frame rate rather than forcing an unstable target.
- The stream is delayed or the latency option is missing: YouTube does not offer “improve for low latency” for 2160p streams; its documented 4K behavior is normal latency optimized for quality.
- The encoder’s settings do not match the table: Verify the output codec and resolution rather than assuming the source game’s resolution is what YouTube receives. The bitrate table is keyed to the signal sent to YouTube.
- A test looks fine, but the event does not: Repeat the test with comparable game motion and audio, and monitor stream health during the event. Network sharing and upload variation can change available capacity.
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