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DaVinci Resolve · YouTube

DaVinci Resolve export settings for YouTube.

1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, H.264, 8 Mbps and AAC 384 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in DaVinci Resolve.

DaVinci Resolve to YouTube

Official
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Frame rate
30 fps, constant
Codec
H.264, profile High, level 4.0
Bitrate
Restrict to (max data rate): target 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), max 12 Mbps
Keyframes
Every 0.5 s = 15 frames, 2 B-frames, closed GOP
Audio
AAC-LC, 384 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)

YouTube's published upload bitrate for this resolution and frame rate.

Estimated size: 635.1 MB for 10:00.

Change resolution or fps File size

Step by step in DaVinci Resolve

  1. 1Open the Deliver page (rocket icon at the bottom of the window).
  2. 2In Render Settings choose Custom Export, then set Filename and Location, and choose Single clip.
  3. 3Video: Format MP4, Codec H.264. Pick the hardware encoder if your GPU offers one, else Native.
  4. 4Resolution 1920 x 1080, Frame rate 30.
  5. 5Quality: choose Restrict to and type 8000 Kb/s (Resolve takes kilobits, so 8 Mbps = 8000).
  6. 6Encoding Profile: High. Key Frames: choose Every and type 15 frames.
  7. 7Advanced Settings: Data Levels Auto, Color Space Tag and Gamma Tag Same as Project (Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range).
  8. 8Audio: Codec AAC, Data Rate 384 kb/s, Sample Rate 48000.
  9. 9Click Add to Render Queue, then Render All.

Bitrate at other resolutions

Same settings, different size or frame rate.

Resolution30 fps60 fps
720p5 Mbps, level 3.17.5 Mbps, level 3.2
1080p8 Mbps, level 4.012 Mbps, level 4.2
1440p16 Mbps, level 5.024 Mbps, level 5.1
2160p35 Mbps, level 5.153 Mbps, level 5.2

YouTube upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Aspect ratio
16:9 is standard on computers; vertical and square videos are supported and the player adapts YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25
Resolution
Upload at source resolution; bitrate table covers 360p to 8K (e.g. 1920 x 1080, 3840 x 2160) YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25
Frame rate
Upload at the recorded frame rate; common rates 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60. Deinterlace first (1080i60 to 1080p30) YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25
Video codec
H.264, progressive, High Profile, 2 consecutive B-frames, closed GOP of half the frame rate, CABAC, VBR, 4:2:0 YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25
Container
MP4, no edit lists, moov atom at the front of the file (Fast Start) YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25
Bitrate
1080p: 8 Mbps (24-30 fps) / 12 Mbps (48-60 fps); 2160p: 35-45 / 53-68 Mbps. No bitrate limit required (VBR) YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25
Max file size
256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less Upload videos longer than 15 minutes, checked 2026-10-25
Max length
12 hours; uploads over 15 minutes need a verified account Upload videos longer than 15 minutes, checked 2026-10-25
Audio
AAC-LC, Opus or Eclipsa Audio; stereo, stereo + 5.1 or stereo + Eclipsa; 48 kHz; 128 kbps mono, 384 kbps stereo, 512 kbps 5.1 YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25
Colour / HDR
BT.709 primaries, transfer and matrix. RGB matrix not recommended. BT.2020 without HDR transfer is converted to 8-bit BT.709 YouTube recommended upload encoding settings, checked 2026-10-25

Common mistakes

  • Typing 0.5 into DaVinci Resolve's keyframe field. It counts frames, not seconds: at 30 fps that is 15.
  • Entering 8 in a Kbps field. DaVinci Resolve takes kilobits: 8 Mbps is 8000.
  • Exporting "HDR" from an SDR grade. Only pick HDR when the timeline was graded in Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG; otherwise YouTube shows flat or over-bright colour.
  • Leaving phone footage at a variable frame rate. Export at a constant 30 fps, or audio drifts and motion stutters after YouTube re-encodes it.
  • Starving the upload to save time. YouTube re-encodes anyway; a higher-bitrate upload gives YouTube's encoder more to work with, especially for 4K.
  • Restrict to is in Kb/s, not Mb/s: 20 Mbps is 20000.
  • Key Frames are counted in frames, not seconds: multiply seconds by the frame rate.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from DaVinci Resolve for YouTube?

For 1080p at 30 fps use about 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), VBR, 1 pass, with a maximum of 12 Mbps. YouTube's published upload bitrate for this resolution and frame rate.

What resolution and frame rate should I use for YouTube?

1920 x 1080 at 30 fps is a safe choice. YouTube: Upload at source resolution; bitrate table covers 360p to 8K (e.g. 1920 x 1080, 3840 x 2160). Frame rate: Upload at the recorded frame rate; common rates 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60. Deinterlace first (1080i60 to 1080p30).

What is the maximum file size and length on YouTube?

File size: 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less. Length: 12 hours; uploads over 15 minutes need a verified account.

Which codec should I pick in DaVinci Resolve for YouTube?

H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file. YouTube lists: H.264, progressive, High Profile, 2 consecutive B-frames, closed GOP of half the frame rate, CABAC, VBR, 4:2:0.

Can I export HDR from DaVinci Resolve to YouTube?

Yes. Export HEVC (H.265) Main10 with Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG. BT.709 primaries, transfer and matrix. RGB matrix not recommended. BT.2020 without HDR transfer is converted to 8-bit BT.709.

DaVinci Resolve for other platforms

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