YouTube Live bitrate for 720p, 1080p, 1440p and 4K
Short answer: for 1080p60 on YouTube, use 6 to 17 Mbps in H.264 (about 9000–12000 kbps is a good middle). For 4K60, YouTube asks for 14 to 50 Mbps. Use CBR, a 2 second keyframe interval and AAC audio at 128 kbps.
YouTube's recommended bitrates
YouTube gives a range for each resolution rather than a single number. The bottom is the least it needs for a clean picture; the top is where extra bitrate stops helping. HEVC and AV1 compress better, so they need less.
| Resolution | H.264 | HEVC / AV1 |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K) 60 fps | 14–50 Mbps | 10–35 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) 30 fps | 11–42 Mbps | 8–30 Mbps |
| 1440p 60 fps | 8–34 Mbps | 6–24 Mbps |
| 1440p 30 fps | 7–21 Mbps | 5–15 Mbps |
| 1080p 60 fps | 6–17 Mbps | 4–12 Mbps |
| 1080p 30 fps | 5–14 Mbps | 4–10 Mbps |
| 720p 30 or 60 fps | 3–8 Mbps | 2–6 Mbps |
1 Mbps is 1000 kbps, so 1080p60 at 6–17 Mbps means 6000–17000 kbps in OBS.
OBS settings for YouTube
- Rate control: CBR.
- Keyframe interval: 2 s. YouTube says never more than 4.
- Audio: AAC, stereo, 44.1 kHz, 128 kbps (YouTube's recommendation).
Which latency mode to pick
In YouTube Studio you choose how far behind real time viewers are:
- Normal latency: the best quality and the only mode that allows 4K. Use it when you don't need to talk with chat in real time.
- Low latency: under about 10 seconds behind. No 4K.
- Ultra-low latency: under about 5 seconds, best for chatting with viewers. No 4K, and YouTube suggests HEVC or AV1 for a stable stream in this mode.
Streaming to YouTube and other platforms at once
YouTube takes far more bitrate than Twitch or Kick. If you send the same stream everywhere, the strictest platform decides the bitrate. 1080p60 at 6000 kbps is at the bottom of YouTube's range and at the top of Twitch's, so it works on both. See what bitrate to use when multistreaming.
Common questions
What is the best bitrate for 1080p60 on YouTube?
YouTube recommends 6 to 17 Mbps in H.264. Around 9 to 12 Mbps is a good choice if your upload allows it; HEVC or AV1 needs 4 to 12 Mbps.
What bitrate does YouTube need for 4K?
14 to 50 Mbps in H.264 at 60 fps, or 10 to 35 Mbps with HEVC or AV1. 4K only works with Normal latency.
Should I use CBR or VBR for YouTube?
CBR. YouTube's encoder settings ask for constant bitrate.
What keyframe interval does YouTube need?
2 seconds is recommended. Don't go above 4 seconds.
Sources: YouTube live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions, YouTube live stream latency. Checked October 2026.