Desktop editor · macOS
Final Cut Pro export settings, per platform.
Where every export setting lives in Final Cut Pro, what it can and cannot control, and a guide for each platform.
What Final Cut Pro lets you set
- Bitrate control
- No (automatic)
- 2-pass encoding
- No
- Profile / level
- No
- Keyframe interval
- No
- HEVC (H.265)
- Yes
- HDR export
- Yes
- Frame rate
- Follows the project
Official export help Release notesLabels checked 2026-10-25
The export, step by step (example: YouTube, 1080p, 30 fps)
- 1Set the project to 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps (Final Cut Pro exports at the project frame rate; there is no frame rate field on export).
- 2Select the project, then choose File > Share > Export File (Cmd+E).
- 3Click Settings. Format: Computer (MP4) or Video and Audio (MOV).
- 4Video Codec: H.264 Better Quality. Resolution: 1920 x 1080.
- 5Check Color Space reads Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range. Action: Save only.
- 6Click Next, choose where to save, then Save. Progress shows in Background Tasks.
- 7Need an exact bitrate or file size? Choose Action > Open with Compressor and set Avg. Bit rate to Custom, 8000 kbps, or run the file through HandBrake.
For HDR
- Set the library to Wide Gamut HDR, and the project Color Space to Wide Gamut HDR - Rec. 2020 PQ or Rec. 2020 HLG.
- Choose a 10-bit codec in Video Codec: HEVC 10-bit or Apple ProRes.
- For PQ, fill in mastering display metadata in the Share inspector only if you know the values.
Final Cut Pro pitfalls
- There is no bitrate, profile, level or keyframe field. Final Cut picks the bitrate; use Compressor or HandBrake to hit a size cap.
- If you edited with proxies, switch the viewer back to Optimized/Original first or the export is rendered from proxies.
- Changes in the Share window become the new default for that destination.
- An SDR Rec. 709 project cannot export HDR; change the project colour space first.
Final Cut Pro export settings by platform
- YouTube
- YouTube Shorts
- Instagram Reels
- Instagram Stories
- Instagram feed video
- Facebook Reels
- Facebook feed video
- TikTok
- Snapchat Spotlight
- X (Twitter)
- Pinterest video Pins
- Threads
- Bluesky
- Vimeo
- Rumble
- Dailymotion
- Twitch video upload
- Discord
- WhatsApp Status
- WhatsApp chat
- Telegram
- Bilibili
- VK Video
- Rutube
- Xiaohongshu (RED)
- Douyin
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Final Cut Pro export settings?
For a 1080p upload: H.264, your recorded frame rate, the highest quality option, AAC audio at 48 kHz, MP4. The exact numbers depend on the platform; pick one below.
Can Final Cut Pro set a bitrate?
No. Final Cut Pro picks the bitrate. Use HandBrake afterwards to hit an exact bitrate or file size.
Can Final Cut Pro export HDR?
Yes. Set the library to Wide Gamut HDR, and the project Color Space to Wide Gamut HDR - Rec. 2020 PQ or Rec. 2020 HLG.
Shinel Studios
Rather send the footage and get upload-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.