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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a 1080p YouTube Live stream, choose the bitrate for the ingested codec and actual frame rate: YouTube recommends 10 Mbps for AV1 or H.265 at 30 fps, and 14 Mbps for H.264 at 30 fps. At 60 fps, its recommendations are 12 Mbps for AV1 or H.265 and 17 Mbps for H.264. A loop has no separate bitrate setting in YouTube’s encoder guidance; use the row that matches your stream and test it before going live.
Recommended bitrate for 1080p
The figures below are YouTube’s current live-encoder recommendations for video ingestion, as stated in its encoder settings guidance (accessed 2026). Mbps means megabits per second; multiply by 1,000 to get kbps.
| Ingested video | Codec | YouTube listed minimum | YouTube recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | AV1 or H.265/HEVC | 4 Mbps (4,000 kbps) | 10 Mbps (10,000 kbps) |
| 1080p at 30 fps | H.264 | 5 Mbps (5,000 kbps) | 14 Mbps (14,000 kbps) |
| 1080p at 60 fps | AV1 or H.265/HEVC | 4 Mbps (4,000 kbps) | 12 Mbps (12,000 kbps) |
| 1080p at 60 fps | H.264 | 6 Mbps (6,000 kbps) | 17 Mbps (17,000 kbps) |
Use the frame rate of the video being sent to YouTube, not a higher rate chosen just because the resolution is 1080p. For example, a 1080p30 source uses the 30 fps row. A bitrate below the recommended figure may still meet YouTube’s listed minimum, but the minimum is not a promise of consistent image quality or a stable connection.
Why a loop uses ordinary live-stream settings
YouTube’s encoder guidance does not specify a special bitrate for looping video. A loop is still an encoded live stream at its output resolution and frame rate, so select the matching codec and frame-rate recommendation above. YouTube’s stream-management documentation covers controls such as latency, DVR, stream-key reuse, and auto-start/auto-stop, but does not establish a loop-specific bitrate or guarantee unlimited continuous duration (Manage live streams).
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Set up the encoder and stream key
- Create or select a stream. In YouTube Studio, open Go Live to reach Live Control Room. Create or select the stream and copy its stream URL and key into your software or hardware encoder. YouTube explains encoder setup in its live-stream management guide and lists supported encoder approaches in its documentation for streaming with an encoder.
- Match resolution, frame rate, and codec. Set the stream output to 1080p and the source’s actual frame rate, then use the recommended bitrate for that codec and rate. YouTube automatically detects encoder settings by default. If you need to select resolution and frame rate manually, create a custom stream key and enable manual settings in Live Control Room, as described in YouTube’s encoder settings guidance.
- Choose CBR and keyframes. Set bitrate encoding to constant bitrate (CBR) and keyframe frequency to 2 seconds. YouTube says not to exceed 4 seconds. Its listed protocols include RTMP/RTMPS, and its listed video codecs include H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1.
- Check the rest of the signal. For SDR, YouTube lists Rec. 709 and 8-bit. Other listed recommendations include square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, and CABAC. For audio, it lists AAC or MP3; for stereo, 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps. Match these choices to the production rather than changing video bitrate to compensate for audio settings.
- Test and monitor. Check upload capacity, preview the stream, and test with audio and movement similar to the real program. YouTube recommends testing before starting and choosing a reliable quality for the available connection; monitor stream-health messages as it runs.
Is 6,000 kbps enough for 1080p60?
It is YouTube’s listed minimum for 1080p60 H.264, not its recommended rate: the recommendation for that combination is 17 Mbps (17,000 kbps). For AV1 or H.265 at 1080p60, YouTube lists a 4 Mbps minimum and recommends 12 Mbps. Whether a connection and encoder can sustain a target is a separate question from the table; test the intended setup and use a rate it can deliver reliably.
Keep upload and stream health in view
- Run an upload-speed test and leave capacity for a stable stream rather than assuming a measured peak will be sustained.
- Test representative movement and audio; a static image alone may not reveal problems that appear during the actual program.
- Watch Live Control Room stream-health messages during the test and the broadcast. If the feed is unstable, lower the target to a rate the connection can sustain, then test again.
- For a loop, verify the source playback, audio continuity, and encoder behavior over a representative period. The official guidance cited here does not promise loop-specific uptime or unlimited duration.
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