In OBS Studio, go to Settings > Video and enter your desired dimensions under Output (Scaled) Resolution. That is the usual control for the resolution YouTube receives. Keep Base (Canvas) Resolution matched to the workspace you use to arrange your sources; changing the canvas is not required just to send a smaller stream.
Set the stream resolution in OBS
- Open Settings > Video. OBS labels the canvas and stream-output dimensions separately; exact options can vary by OBS version and output mode. See the OBS Studio Overview Guide.
- Choose the Base (Canvas) Resolution. This is the workspace used to position and size sources in your scenes. Keep it appropriate for the source material and layout. If you change it, you may need to reposition or resize sources.
- Set Output (Scaled) Resolution. Enter the width and height you want OBS to send, such as 1920×1080 for 1080p or 1280×720 for 720p. This is the usual setting for a custom stream resolution.
- Choose Common FPS Values. Use the frame rate appropriate to your content and system. Sixty frames per second can require substantially more system resources than 30 fps, so test the scene before a real broadcast.
- Choose a downscale filter if the output is smaller than the canvas. Keep the intended aspect ratio. The OBS Aspect Ratio Guide explains why stretching a source to fill a different ratio distorts it, while preserving proportions can leave bars or require cropping.
- Check the output and test. Confirm the encoder, bitrate, codec, and frame rate suit YouTube’s guidance and your stable upload capacity. Test with representative movement and audio, then monitor stream health while live.
What the resolution controls mean
Base (Canvas) Resolution
The canvas is the scene-layout workspace where OBS arranges captured sources, overlays, and other elements. It does not have to be reduced just because you want a smaller stream output.
Output (Scaled) Resolution
This is the resolution at which OBS outputs the stream or recording after scaling. For most custom live-stream dimensions, change this setting in Settings > Video.
Output-level rescaling
In Advanced output setups, OBS may also provide Output > Streaming > Rescale Output for a separate stream resolution. This can be useful when configuring distinct stream and recording sizes, but adds another setting to manage. The exact location and availability depend on the installed OBS version and output mode; consult OBS’s encoding performance troubleshooting guide and verify the controls in your installation.
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Choose dimensions, frame rate, and bitrate together
For a typical landscape computer stream, 16:9 is common. Examples include 1920×1080, 1280×720, and 3840×2160. Other ratios can suit a particular presentation. If source and canvas ratios differ, expect bars or cropping rather than stretching the image.
YouTube’s live encoder settings page, accessed 2026-10-03, gives these recommended incoming video bitrates. They are configuration recommendations, not guarantees that a particular internet connection will deliver reliably.
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| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 recommended bitrate | AV1/H.265 recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
For other combinations, use YouTube’s current live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions rather than extrapolating from this partial set. YouTube recommends CBR and a two-second keyframe interval, with a maximum of four seconds. Its streaming tips recommend checking upload speed, choosing a quality the connection can sustain, and leaving bandwidth headroom.
A higher resolution is not automatically a better choice: balance the image detail and motion smoothness against upload stability and OBS’s rendering and encoding capacity. If you cannot sustain the bitrate or the computer struggles, choose a lower output resolution or frame rate.
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Does YouTube need a resolution setting too?
Usually not. YouTube Help says, “By default (recommended), YouTube will automatically detect your resolution and frame rate.” If you specifically want to choose them in YouTube, create a custom stream key and turn on manual settings under Stream Resolution in Live Control Room. YouTube Help’s cited workflow is described on its encoder settings page; do not confuse this optional YouTube setting with OBS’s output dimensions.
Test before the broadcast
- Use movement similar to the actual stream; a static screen may not reveal performance problems.
- Include audio and check that it is present and synchronized as expected.
- Confirm YouTube receives the intended quality and watch stream health before and during the broadcast.
- YouTube explicitly advises testing before starting a live stream; see its live encoder guidance.
Troubleshoot a choppy stream or encoding overload
OBS reports encoding overload or the stream stutters
Lower Output (Scaled) Resolution or the frame rate first. OBS notes that reducing output resolution can reduce encoder load. If needed, simplify the scene, reduce expensive sources or filters, and review OBS’s encoding performance troubleshooting steps. Lowering the canvas is generally less desirable because it can require rearranging the scene; reserve it for cases where the computer is seriously constrained.
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The image is stretched, cropped, or has bars
Check the source, canvas, and output aspect ratios. Preserve the intended ratio instead of stretching to fill. Bars or cropping may be expected when the ratios differ; the OBS aspect-ratio guide covers these trade-offs.
YouTube shows a different resolution than expected
Check OBS’s Output (Scaled) Resolution, frame rate, and encoder settings first. YouTube normally detects the incoming resolution and frame rate automatically. If manual selection is enabled for a custom stream key, verify the Live Control Room’s Stream Resolution setting as well.
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The stream drops or upload cannot sustain the selected quality
Choose a lower resolution, frame rate, or bitrate that fits the stable upload connection, and leave bandwidth headroom. Run an upload speed test and follow YouTube’s streaming tips. A nominal speed result does not guarantee reliable delivery throughout a broadcast.
Or let it run in the cloud
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Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, then start your free day.
Quick Recap
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