OBS 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 OBS Studio.
OBS to YouTube
Official- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Frame rate
- 30 fps, constant
- Codec
- H.264, profile High, level 4.0
- Bitrate
- VBR: target 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), max 12 Mbps
- Keyframes
- Every 0.5 s = 15 frames, 2 B-frames, closed GOP
- Audio
- AAC-LC, 384 kbps, 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.
Step by step in OBS
- 1Settings > Video: Base (Canvas) Resolution 1920x1080, Output (Scaled) Resolution 1920x1080, Common FPS Values 30.
- 2Settings > Audio: Sample Rate 48000 Hz.
- 3Settings > Output: Output Mode Advanced, then open the Recording tab.
- 4Recording Format: Hybrid MP4 (.mp4). Video Encoder: your GPU encoder (NVIDIA NVENC, AMD or QuickSync) or x264.
- 5Rate Control VBR, Bitrate 8000 Kbps, Max Bitrate 12000 Kbps. Keyframe Interval 0.5 s.
- 6Profile High, B-Frames 2, Multipass Mode Two Passes (Quarter Resolution) on NVENC.
- 7Audio tab: Track 1 Audio Bitrate 384. Click Apply, then Start Recording.
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.
Common mistakes
- Typing a frame count into OBS's keyframe field. It is in seconds here: 0.5.
- Entering 8 in a Kbps field. OBS takes kilobits: 8 Mbps is 8000.
- 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.
- Keyframe Interval in OBS is in seconds, not frames. 0 means automatic, which is too long for platforms that want 2 s.
- Plain MP4 recordings are unreadable after a crash; Hybrid MP4 or MKV is safe.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I export from OBS for YouTube?
For 1080p at 30 fps use about 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), VBR, 2 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 OBS 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 OBS 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.
OBS for other platforms
Other editors for YouTube
Hubs and tools
Shinel Studios
Rather send the footage and get YouTube-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.