The Tool Desk
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What resolution should you upload to YouTube?
Choose a resolution that matches the detail in your source footage and how you want viewers to watch it. Exporting at a larger size does not add detail that was not captured. YouTube lists these common 16:9 dimensions:
| Label | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| 8K / 4320p | 7680×4320 |
| 4K / 2160p | 3840×2160 |
| 1440p / 2K | 2560×1440 |
| 1080p / HD | 1920×1080 |
| 720p / HD | 1280×720 |
| 480p / SD | 854×480 |
| 360p / SD | 640×360 |
| 240p / SD | 426×240 |
YouTube notes that playback support for some resolutions between 4K and 8K has been removed; 5K, for example, may not be supported. See YouTube’s resolution and aspect-ratio guidance.
Which aspect ratio should you use?
“The standard aspect ratio for YouTube on a computer is 16:9,” according to YouTube Help. That makes 16:9 a natural choice for conventional landscape footage, but it is not a requirement for every video. YouTube’s player adapts to vertical, square, and other aspect ratios, and its shape can vary with the viewer’s device.
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Do not add black bars or padding to force footage into 16:9. For some vertical videos and device aspect ratios, YouTube may add padding around the picture in the player; baking bars into the file can interfere with the player’s dynamic sizing.
Recommended upload encoding settings
For pre-recorded uploads, YouTube recommends MP4, H.264 video, progressive scan, variable bitrate, and the same frame rate as the recording. Common frame rates it lists are 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps; other rates are accepted. Deinterlace interlaced footage, and use BT.709 for SDR uploads. These are upload recommendations, not mandatory file limits. Details are in YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings.
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Recommended SDR video bitrates
Use the standard-frame-rate column for 24, 25, or 30 fps, and the high-frame-rate column for 48, 50, or 60 fps. Values are YouTube recommendations in Mbps, not minimums or upload caps.
| Resolution | Standard frame rate (24, 25, 30 fps) | High frame rate (48, 50, 60 fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 8K | 80–160 Mbps | 120–240 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) | 35–45 Mbps | 53–68 Mbps |
| 1440p (2K) | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps |
| 480p | 2.5 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p | 1 Mbps | 1.5 Mbps |
HDR and audio rates
HDR uses different video bitrate recommendations. For example, YouTube lists 44–56 Mbps for 2160p (4K) at standard frame rates and 66–85 Mbps at high frame rates; for 1080p it lists 10 Mbps and 15 Mbps respectively. The page provides no HDR upload recommendations for 480p or 360p. Its audio recommendations are 128 kbps mono, 384 kbps stereo, and 512 kbps 5.1.
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What is the maximum YouTube upload file size?
YouTube’s stated maximum is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less. Accounts can upload videos up to 15 minutes by default; verification enables longer uploads. Check YouTube’s guidance on longer uploads for account details.
Estimate the file size before exporting
As a rough estimate, video size in decimal gigabytes is bitrate in Mbps × duration in seconds ÷ 8,000. Add audio and container overhead for a closer estimate. For example, 60 minutes at 8 Mbps of video is about 3.6 GB before audio and overhead. Actual size depends on the encoded content and settings.
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If an export exceeds the limit
YouTube suggests compressing a file larger than 256 GB in video-editing software and using H.264. Compression can reduce file size, but the result’s visual quality depends on the settings and source; it does not guarantee a particular quality. Alternatively, shorten the video or adjust export settings, then check the resulting file before uploading. See YouTube’s file-size guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why does my upload look low-resolution at first?
YouTube converts uploads to the highest resolution available. A new upload may initially play only at lower quality while higher-resolution versions are processing; completion can take several hours. Processing time depends on video quality, length, format, and traffic. If high-quality playback is still unavailable, consult YouTube’s upload troubleshooting guidance.
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Upload settings are not live-stream settings
The bitrate table above is for pre-recorded video uploads. Live-streaming has a separate encoder-settings guide and different ingestion recommendations: for example, YouTube recommends 14 Mbps for H.264 1080p at 30 fps for a live stream, compared with 8 Mbps for a standard-frame-rate 1080p SDR upload. The numbers describe different workflows, not contradictory rules. See YouTube’s live encoder settings before configuring a live broadcast.
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Quick Recap
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