Final Cut Pro · Vimeo

Final Cut Pro export settings for Vimeo.

1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, H.264, 15 Mbps and AAC 320 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in Final Cut Pro.

Final Cut Pro to Vimeo

Official

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Frame rate: 30 fps, constant
Codec: H.264
Bitrate: Automatic (Final Cut Pro has no bitrate field). Aim: 15 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)

Vimeo recommends 10-20 Mbps at this resolution.

Estimated size: 580.2 MB for 5:00.

Final Cut Pro has no bitrate setting. It picks its own rate.

Change resolution or fps File size

Step by step in Final Cut Pro

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, 15000 kbps, or run the file through HandBrake.

Bitrate at other resolutions

Same settings, different size or frame rate.

Resolution	30 fps	60 fps
720p	7.5 Mbps, level 3.1	7.5 Mbps, level 3.2
1080p	15 Mbps, level 4.0	15 Mbps, level 4.2
1440p	16 Mbps, level 5.0	16 Mbps, level 5.1
2160p	16 Mbps, level 5.1	16 Mbps, level 5.2

Vimeo upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Aspect ratio

Any; 1:1 pixel aspect ratio (square pixels) Video and audio compression guidelines, checked 2026-10-25

Resolution

Common sizes: 1920 x 1080, 2560 x 1440, 3840 x 2160 (UHD), 4096 x 2160 (DCI), 8192 x 4320 (8K) Video and audio compression guidelines, checked 2026-10-25

Frame rate

Keep native frame rate, constant frame rate (CFR). Above 60 fps is reduced automatically Video and audio compression guidelines, checked 2026-10-25

Video codec

H.264 High Profile (up to 4K), H.265/HEVC (up to 8K) or Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) Video and audio compression guidelines, checked 2026-10-25

Container

MP4 or MOV preferred; many other types accepted About preparing video file for upload, checked 2026-10-25

Bitrate

SD 2-5, 720p 5-10, 1080p 10-20, 2K 20-30, 4K 30-60, 8K 50-80 Mbps. Or CRF 18 or lower Video and audio compression guidelines, checked 2026-10-25

Max file size

No hard limit stated; keep files under 200 GB for a successful upload. Storage depends on plan About preparing video file for upload, checked 2026-10-25

Max length

Uploads longer than 24 hours not supported About preparing video file for upload, checked 2026-10-25

Audio

AAC-LC, 320 kbps CBR suggested, 48 kHz (other rates converted) Video and audio compression guidelines, checked 2026-10-25

Colour / HDR

BT.709 or BT.2020 primaries/matrix. HDR: PQ (SMPTE 2084) or HLG, 10-bit or more; PQ needs SMPTE 2086 + CEA 861.3 metadata. Dolby Vision supported Video and audio compression guidelines, checked 2026-10-25

Common mistakes

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.
Exporting "HDR" from an SDR grade. Only pick HDR when the timeline was graded in Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG; otherwise Vimeo 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 Vimeo 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.

For comparison, YouTube publishes 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps. Example length used for sizes: 5:00.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from Final Cut Pro for Vimeo?

For 1080p at 30 fps use about 15 Mbps (15000 kbps), VBR, 1 pass, with a maximum of 20 Mbps. Vimeo recommends 10-20 Mbps at this resolution.

What resolution and frame rate should I use for Vimeo?

1920 x 1080 at 30 fps is a safe choice. Vimeo: Common sizes: 1920 x 1080, 2560 x 1440, 3840 x 2160 (UHD), 4096 x 2160 (DCI), 8192 x 4320 (8K). Frame rate: Keep native frame rate, constant frame rate (CFR). Above 60 fps is reduced automatically.

What is the maximum file size and length on Vimeo?

File size: No hard limit stated; keep files under 200 GB for a successful upload. Storage depends on plan. Length: Uploads longer than 24 hours not supported.

Which codec should I pick in Final Cut Pro for Vimeo?

H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file. Vimeo lists: H.264 High Profile (up to 4K), H.265/HEVC (up to 8K) or Apple ProRes 422 (HQ).

Can I export HDR from Final Cut Pro to Vimeo?

Yes. Export HEVC (H.265) Main10 with Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG. BT.709 or BT.2020 primaries/matrix. HDR: PQ (SMPTE 2084) or HLG, 10-bit or more; PQ needs SMPTE 2086 + CEA 861.3 metadata. Dolby Vision supported.

Final Cut Pro for other platforms

Other editors for Vimeo

Hubs and tools

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