For a stable H.264 YouTube Live stream, set OBS to CBR, use a 2-second keyframe interval, and start with YouTube’s recommended bitrate for your resolution and frame rate. For example, YouTube recommends 17 Mbps for H.264 at 1080p60 and 14 Mbps at 1080p30. Your upload connection must sustain the stream alongside other network traffic, so test with representative movement and audio before going live, then watch YouTube’s stream-health messages during the broadcast.
Recommended YouTube Live bitrates for OBS
These are YouTube’s live-ingestion recommendations, not settings for uploading a prerecorded video file. Choose the row that matches your output resolution, frame rate, and video codec. The values are Mbps; “minimum” is YouTube’s listed minimum, while “recommended” is its suggested starting point. Source: YouTube Help, “Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions,” accessed October 3, 2026.
| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 minimum | H.264 recommended | AV1 / H.265 minimum | AV1 / H.265 recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K), 60 fps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K), 30 fps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 30 Mbps |
| 1440p, 60 fps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps | 6 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 1440p, 30 fps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| 1080p, 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps | 4 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 1080p, 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps | 4 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 720p, 60 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 720p, 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 480p, 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| 360p, 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
Codec matters: do not select an AV1 or H.265 bitrate simply because it is lower unless the encoder and stream setup actually use that codec. For a compatibility-oriented setup, YouTube lists H.264 and RTMPS among supported options and recommends RTMPS as the secure extension to RTMP. Available OBS controls depend on the selected encoder and OBS version; the figures above are YouTube’s platform guidance, not a guarantee of stability on a particular PC or connection.
Choose a bitrate your connection can sustain
The recommended bitrate is a reference for the selected output format, not a measurement of your internet connection. YouTube advises testing upload speed and choosing a quality reliable for that connection. If your upload fluctuates or other devices are using the connection, the recommended figure may not be sustainable in practice.
#1 Best Overall
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- Pick resolution and frame rate based on the game, the motion you need to show, and your available upload capacity. If 1080p60 is unreliable, try 1080p30 or 720p60 rather than insisting on the higher setting.
- Use the matching codec column. For H.264, the YouTube starting points include 8 Mbps for either 720p30 or 720p60, 14 Mbps for 1080p30, and 17 Mbps for 1080p60.
- If the stream is unstable, lower the bitrate or output quality and retest. YouTube does not give a universal upload-headroom percentage, so validate the setting under your own network conditions.
OBS and encoder settings that matter
Rate control and keyframes
Set bitrate encoding to CBR (constant bitrate) and set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. YouTube says the keyframe interval should not exceed 4 seconds. OBS Project also notes that a consistent keyframe interval can help automatic quality-option transitions happen without interruption; YouTube’s current 2-second recommendation is the interval to use.
Video and audio format
YouTube’s live encoder guide lists progressive scan, square pixels, up to 60 fps, CABAC entropy coding, two B-frames, one reference frame, and Rec. 709 for SDR. For audio, it lists AAC or MP3, 44.1 kHz stereo sampling, 128 Kbps for stereo, and 384 Kbps for 5.1 surround. Encoder menus and which options are exposed can vary by OBS version and encoder, so use these as target output characteristics rather than assuming every setting appears under the same label.
Rank #2
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Set up and test the stream before a broadcast
- Choose output resolution and frame rate. Match your OBS output to the YouTube bitrate-table row you intend to use. Do not treat the table as proof that your upload line can carry that stream reliably.
- Set the encoder options. Choose a supported codec, set rate control to CBR, use a 2-second keyframe interval, and configure the corresponding recommended bitrate as your initial target.
- Check upload performance. Run an upload speed test on the connection you will use for the broadcast. If the result is inconsistent or close to the stream’s bitrate, reduce the target quality and plan to retest.
- Run a representative private or unlisted test. Include gameplay movement and audio similar to the actual event. YouTube specifically advises testing before the stream with comparable movement and audio.
- Review stream health and adjust. Watch YouTube Live Control Room’s stream-health indicator and messages. If you see instability, lower bitrate or output quality, then test again before relying on the configuration.
YouTube detects encoder settings automatically by default in Live Control Room and transcodes streams into multiple output formats. Its help guidance says manual resolution selection is available with a custom stream key and manual settings. If you need to control resolution manually, check the current Live Control Room flow for the stream key you are using.
Latency is a separate choice
Bitrate affects the amount of data OBS sends; latency affects how quickly viewers see the broadcast. YouTube notes that lower latency can mean more playback buffering. Its guidance says 4K/2160p does not offer a low-latency option and runs at normal latency. Choose latency based on whether real-time interaction matters more than the added risk of viewer buffering; it does not replace choosing a sustainable bitrate.
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Troubleshoot instability, buffering, and dropped frames
- YouTube reports poor stream health or the stream buffers: The selected bitrate may be too demanding for the actual upload connection or its current conditions. Lower the bitrate, resolution, or frame rate and repeat the representative test.
- The stream is unstable even though a speed test looked adequate: A single speed test does not establish that the connection will remain consistent during the event. Retest at the time and on the connection you will use, and reduce output quality if the test stream still shows health problems.
- Viewers have trouble with playback at lower latency: YouTube warns that lower latency may increase playback buffering. Consider a less aggressive latency choice; for 4K, YouTube’s guidance specifies normal latency.
- Quality options transition poorly: Check that the keyframe cadence is consistent and set the interval to YouTube’s recommended 2 seconds. OBS Project identifies consistent keyframes as helpful for uninterrupted automatic quality-option transitions.
- Bitrate recommendations seem mismatched: Confirm you are reading YouTube’s live-ingestion table and the correct codec, resolution, and frame rate. Upload-file encoding recommendations are a different table and should not be substituted.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep a prerecorded video or playlist live on YouTube around the clock, StreamNeo is an alternative to keeping OBS and a home computer running. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud. It does not broadcast a camera feed.
- Nothing has to stay on at home: the cloud stream continues with your computer off.
- Your upload streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot regardless of quality; StreamNeo does not re-encode it.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required.
The monthly option is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start your free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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Rank #4
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