After Effects export settings for Discord.
1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, H.264, 5 Mbps and AAC 128 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in Adobe After Effects (with Media Encoder).
After Effects to Discord
Shinel recommendation- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Frame rate
- 30 fps, constant
- Codec
- H.264, profile High, level 4.0
- Bitrate
- VBR, 2 pass: target 5 Mbps (5000 kbps), max 5.5 Mbps
- Keyframes
- Every 2 s = 60 frames, 2 B-frames, closed GOP
- Audio
- AAC-LC, 128 kbps, 48 kHz, stereo
- Colour
- Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range
- Container
- MP4 with Fast Start (moov atom at the front)
Sized so a 0:30 clip fits the 20 MB limit with 4% headroom.
Estimated size: 19.4 MB for 0:30.
Step by step in After Effects
- 1Set the composition to 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps (Composition > Composition Settings).
- 2With the composition selected choose Composition > Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue.
- 3In Media Encoder click the blue Format link of the job and set Format to H.264.
- 4Click Output Name to set the file name and folder (.mp4).
- 5Video tab: Frame Size 1920 x 1080, Frame Rate 30, Profile High, Level 4.0.
- 6Bitrate Settings: Bitrate Encoding VBR, 2 pass, Target Bitrate 5 Mbps, Maximum Bitrate 5.5 Mbps.
- 7Advanced Settings: tick Key Frame Distance and enter 60 frames.
- 8Audio tab: AAC, Sample Rate 48000 Hz, Bitrate 128 kbps. Click OK, then Start Queue.
Discord upload limits
Each value links to where it was published.
- Free: 20 MB
- Nitro Basic: 50 MB
- Nitro: 1 GB
- Server Boost Level 2 (in that server): 50 MB
- Server Boost Level 3 (in that server): 100 MB
Common mistakes
- Exporting at YouTube quality and then sending it to Discord. Set the bitrate for the length of the clip (here 5000 kbps for 0:30) so Discord does not refuse or squash it.
- Typing 2 into After Effects's keyframe field. It counts frames, not seconds: at 30 fps that is 60.
- Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to Discord. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
- The native H.264 output in the Render Queue (Composition > Add to Render Queue) is quick, but Media Encoder is the route for 2-pass, keyframe distance and HEVC.
- Render Queue H.264 presets set Profile and Level from the comp size automatically.
For comparison, YouTube publishes 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps. Example length used for sizes: 0:30.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I export from After Effects for Discord?
For 1080p at 30 fps use about 5 Mbps (5000 kbps), VBR, 2 pass, with a maximum of 5.5 Mbps. Sized so a 0:30 clip fits the 20 MB limit with 4% headroom.
What resolution and frame rate should I use for Discord?
1920 x 1080 at 30 fps is a safe choice.
What is the maximum file size and length on Discord?
File size: Free 20 MB; Nitro Basic 50 MB; Nitro 1 GB. Boosted servers: 50 MB (Level 2), 100 MB (Level 3) for all members in that server.
Which codec should I pick in After Effects for Discord?
H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file.
Can I export HDR from After Effects to Discord?
Discord has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.
After Effects for other platforms
Other editors for Discord
Hubs and tools
Shinel Studios
Rather send the footage and get Discord-ready edits back?
Our editors cut, caption, colour and export to each platform's spec, with 2 revision rounds. Shorts come back in 48-72 hours, long videos in 5-10 days.