Kdenlive export settings, per platform.

What Kdenlive lets you set

Bitrate control

Yes, in Kbps

2-pass encoding

Yes

Profile / level

Both

Keyframe interval

Yes, in frames

HEVC (H.265)

Yes

HDR export

No

Frame rate

Choose on export

Official export help Release notesLabels checked 2026-10-25

The export, step by step (example: YouTube, 1080p, 30 fps)

1. 1Set the project profile to 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps before you edit.
2. 2Choose File > Render (Ctrl+Enter) and set the output file ending in .mp4.
3. 3In the preset list open Generic and select MP4-H264/AAC (for HEVC use MP4-H265 (HEVC)).
4. 4To set a bitrate, save the preset as a new custom preset and edit it.
5. 5Video: Rate Control Average Bitrate + 2 pass, Bitrate 8000k. GOP 15 frames, tick Fixed.
6. 6Audio: aac, 384k, 48000 Hz, 2 channels.
7. 7Save the preset, select it, tick 2 pass under More options if you chose Average Bitrate, then click Render to File.

Kdenlive pitfalls

• Render is in the File menu in current versions; older tutorials say Project > Render.
• Built-in presets cannot be edited: save a copy first.
• Untick Render at Preview Resolution and Use Proxy Clips before the final render.
• Kdenlive has no HDR10 / HLG metadata workflow; use DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut for HDR.

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.