For a typical YouTube Live stream, set bitrate mode to CBR and the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. Choose the bitrate for your codec, resolution and frame rate using YouTube’s live recommendations. YouTube does not specify a required H.264 profile or one universal encoder preset; its live guidance instead lists advanced settings such as progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC.
Recommended YouTube Live encoder settings at a glance
| Setting | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Bitrate mode | CBR |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds; do not exceed 4 seconds |
| Codec | H.264, H.265/HEVC or AV1, as supported by your encoder and stream requirements |
| H.264 profile | YouTube’s live guidance does not specify a required profile |
| Encoder preset | YouTube’s live guidance does not specify a universal preset; choose one your encoder can sustain while meeting the live requirements |
| Transport | RTMP or RTMPS; YouTube recommends RTMPS |
These are live-ingest recommendations, not instructions for encoding a video file for upload. YouTube automatically detects encoder settings and transcodes the incoming live stream into output formats for viewers. YouTube’s live encoder settings guide is the reference for supported codecs, bitrates and advanced settings.
Choose a bitrate for your resolution and frame rate
CBR describes how the encoder controls bitrate; it does not tell you which bitrate value to enter. Select a value appropriate to the codec, resolution and frame rate. The table below gives YouTube’s H.264 live-ingestion minimum and recommended bitrates in Mbps. These are platform recommendations, not independent test results.
| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 minimum | H.264 recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K) at 60 fps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) at 30 fps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
YouTube also publishes minimum and recommended bitrates for H.265/HEVC and AV1. Their values vary by codec, resolution and frame rate, so do not apply the H.264 figures to another codec. Check the current YouTube live bitrate table for the codec you plan to use. YouTube recommends choosing a quality your upload connection can sustain reliably and running a speed test before the stream.
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Set CBR and a 2-second keyframe interval
CBR bitrate mode
In your encoder’s streaming output settings, select CBR for bitrate control, then enter the bitrate you selected for your codec and output format. CBR is YouTube’s listed live bitrate mode. It is not the bitrate number itself: for example, choosing CBR does not determine whether your stream should use 8 Mbps or 17 Mbps.
Keyframe frequency
Set the keyframe interval or keyframe frequency to 2 seconds. YouTube recommends two seconds and says not to exceed four seconds. The control may be labeled “Keyframe Interval,” “Keyframe Frequency,” or “GOP length,” depending on the encoder. If it asks for frames rather than seconds, use the equivalent for your frame rate—for example, 60 frames at 30 fps or 120 frames at 60 fps for a two-second interval.
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H.264 profile and encoder preset: what YouTube does and does not require
H.264 profile
YouTube’s live encoder guidance does not name a required H.264 profile. It lists other H.264 advanced properties: progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC. Use the settings your encoder exposes to meet those recommendations; do not treat a profile label as a substitute for the listed properties.
The separate YouTube upload encoding guide names H.264 High Profile and variable bitrate for uploaded files. Those are upload recommendations, not evidence that YouTube Live requires High Profile or VBR.
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Encoder preset
YouTube does not specify a universal preset name for live encoding. Presets are implementation-specific: software and hardware encoders may use different names and trade off processing load, latency and compression behavior differently. Select a preset your chosen encoder can sustain while delivering the required output, then test the actual stream. A preset name from one encoder should not be assumed to map directly to another.
Other video, audio and transport settings
- Video scan and pixels: use progressive scan and square pixels.
- H.264 advanced settings: YouTube lists two B-frames, one reference frame and CABAC.
- Color: YouTube lists Rec. 709 for SDR. For HDR over RTMP(S), it recommends H.265; AV1 is not supported for HDR.
- Transport: RTMP and RTMPS are listed protocols, and YouTube recommends RTMPS.
- Audio codec: AAC or MP3. For 5.1 surround sound over RTMP/RTMPS, YouTube supports AAC only.
- Audio sample rate: 44.1 kHz for stereo or 48 kHz for 5.1.
- Audio bitrate: 128 Kbps for stereo or 384 Kbps for 5.1.
Encoder controls vary, so a setting may be unavailable or named differently in a particular device or application. YouTube’s live encoder requirements provide the full current list.
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Test the stream before the event
- Match the planned output. Set the codec, resolution, frame rate, bitrate mode, bitrate and keyframe interval you intend to use live.
- Use representative content. Test with audio and movement similar to the planned event. A static screen does not reveal the same encoding or connection demands as fast gameplay, camera movement or a busy scene.
- Check upload capacity. Run a speed test and confirm that the available upload connection can sustain the selected stream reliably.
- Start a test broadcast. YouTube’s setup guide explains how to create a live stream with an encoder and connect it using a stream key: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
- Watch stream health. Monitor YouTube’s stream-health information during the test and correct any warnings before the event. YouTube’s direct advice is: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.”
Common encoder-setting problems and fixes
| Symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
| Unstable stream or dropped frames | Check the upload connection and lower the output quality or bitrate to a level it can sustain reliably. Run another test and watch stream health. |
| Keyframe or encoder warning | Confirm the keyframe interval is 2 seconds and no more than 4 seconds. Check that your encoder is actually applying the setting. |
| Bitrate does not match YouTube’s recommendation | Verify you are using the row for the correct resolution and frame rate, and the column for the selected codec. Do not carry H.264 figures over to H.265/HEVC or AV1. |
| Cannot find a required profile or preset | YouTube’s live guidance does not prescribe a universal profile or preset. Check the specified advanced properties and use an encoder-specific setting that can maintain your chosen output. |
| Live setup instructions suggest High Profile or VBR | Check whether those instructions refer to uploaded video encoding. YouTube’s upload guidance is separate from its live-stream recommendations. |
Software or hardware encoder?
YouTube supports either computer software or a standalone hardware encoder for live streaming. A software encoder is a valid option; the settings guidance does not require buying dedicated hardware. YouTube’s encoder setup guide describes software and hardware options and typical equipment, from a microphone, webcam and headphones for casual setups to cameras, mixers and a hardware encoder in professional setups. No single hardware model is required by the settings above.
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