Final Cut Pro export settings for Bluesky.

Resolution

1920 x 1080

Frame rate

30 fps, constant

Codec

H.264

Bitrate

Automatic (Final Cut Pro has no bitrate field). Aim: 8 Mbps

Keyframes

Automatic (no setting in Final Cut Pro)

Audio

AAC-LC, default bitrate, 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)

Bluesky publishes no bitrate. This follows YouTube's published table for the resolution, which every major platform handles well.

Estimated size: 124.1 MB for 2:00.

• Final Cut Pro has no bitrate setting. It picks its own rate; to fit Bluesky's limit, compress the export with HandBrake at 8000 kbps.

Step by step in Final Cut Pro

1. 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).
2. 2Select the project, then choose File > Share > Export File (Cmd+E).
3. 3Click Settings. Format: Computer (MP4) or Video and Audio (MOV).
4. 4Video Codec: H.264 Better Quality. Resolution: 1920 x 1080.
5. 5Check Color Space reads Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range. Action: Save only.
6. 6Click Next, choose where to save, then Save. Progress shows in Background Tasks.
7. 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.

Bluesky upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Common mistakes

• Expecting Final Cut Pro to hit Bluesky's size limit. It has no bitrate field, so export a high-quality master and compress it with HandBrake at 8000 kbps.
• Looking for a frame rate box on export. Final Cut Pro exports at the project frame rate, so set the project to 30 fps before you edit.
• Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to Bluesky. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
• Leaving phone footage at a variable frame rate. Export at a constant 30 fps, or audio drifts and motion stutters after Bluesky re-encodes it.
• 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.

Shinel Studios

Rather send the footage and get Bluesky-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.