Final Cut Pro · YouTube

Final Cut Pro 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 Final Cut Pro.

Final Cut Pro to YouTube

Official

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)

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

Estimated size: 635.1 MB for 10:00.

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, 8000 kbps, or run the file through HandBrake.

Bitrate at other resolutions

Same settings, different size or frame rate.

Resolution	30 fps	60 fps
720p	5 Mbps, level 3.1	7.5 Mbps, level 3.2
1080p	8 Mbps, level 4.0	12 Mbps, level 4.2
1440p	16 Mbps, level 5.0	24 Mbps, level 5.1
2160p	35 Mbps, level 5.1	53 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

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 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.
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.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from Final Cut Pro 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 Final Cut Pro 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 Final Cut Pro 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.

Final Cut Pro for other platforms

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