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OBS · YouTube Live

OBS export settings for YouTube Live.

1920 x 1080 at 60 fps, H.264, 17 Mbps CBR and AAC 128 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in OBS Studio.

OBS to YouTube Live

Official
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Frame rate
60 fps, constant
Codec
H.264, profile High, level 4.2
Bitrate
CBR: target 17 Mbps (17000 kbps)
Keyframes
Every 2 s = 120 frames, 2 B-frames, closed GOP
Audio
AAC-LC, 128 kbps, 44.1 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 Live's recommended H.264 bitrate for this resolution and frame rate.

Estimated size: 15.57 GB for 2:00:00.

Change resolution or fps File size

Step by step in OBS

  1. 1Settings > Stream: choose YouTube Live and connect your account or paste the stream key.
  2. 2Settings > Video: Output (Scaled) Resolution 1920x1080, Common FPS Values 60.
  3. 3Settings > Output: Output Mode Advanced, Streaming tab.
  4. 4Video Encoder: NVIDIA NVENC H.264 (or x264). Rate Control CBR, Bitrate 17000 Kbps.
  5. 5Keyframe Interval 2 s (never 0 for streaming). Profile High, B-Frames 2.
  6. 6Audio tab: Audio Bitrate 128, Sample Rate 44100 Hz. Apply, then Start Streaming.

Bitrate at other resolutions

Same settings, different size or frame rate.

Resolution30 fps60 fps
720p8 Mbps, level 3.18 Mbps, level 3.2
1080p14 Mbps, level 4.017 Mbps, level 4.2
1440p21 Mbps, level 5.034 Mbps, level 5.1
2160p35 Mbps, level 5.150 Mbps, level 5.2

YouTube Live upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Resolution
Up to 2160p (4K); 240p to 2160p ladder Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, checked 2026-10-25
Frame rate
Up to 60 fps Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, checked 2026-10-25
Video codec
H.264, H.265 (HEVC) or AV1; progressive, square pixels, 2 B-frames, 1 reference frame, CABAC. Keyframe 2 s (max 4 s) Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, checked 2026-10-25
Container
RTMP or RTMPS (RTMPS recommended); HLS for HDR if the encoder cannot send HDR over RTMP(S) Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, checked 2026-10-25
Bitrate
CBR. 1080p60: H.264 17 Mbps (min 6), HEVC/AV1 12 Mbps (min 4). 1080p30: H.264 14, HEVC/AV1 10. 2160p60: H.264 50, HEVC/AV1 35 Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, checked 2026-10-25
Audio
AAC or MP3; 44.1 kHz stereo at 128 kbps, or 48 kHz 5.1 at 384 kbps (5.1 AAC over RTMP/RTMPS only) Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, checked 2026-10-25
Colour / HDR
SDR: Rec. 709, 8-bit. HDR live: HEVC 10-bit (AV1 not supported for HDR) Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions, checked 2026-10-25

Common mistakes

  • Leaving the keyframe interval on automatic. YouTube Live wants a keyframe every 2 seconds; automatic is often longer and causes buffering.
  • Using VBR for a live stream. YouTube Live expects CBR (constant bitrate); VBR spikes cause dropped frames for viewers.
  • Typing a frame count into OBS's keyframe field. It is in seconds here: 2.
  • Entering 17 in a Kbps field. OBS takes kilobits: 17 Mbps is 17000.
  • Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to YouTube Live. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
  • 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.

For comparison, YouTube publishes 12 Mbps for 1080p at 60 fps. Example length used for sizes: 2:00:00.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from OBS for YouTube Live?

For 1080p at 60 fps use about 17 Mbps (17000 kbps) CBR. YouTube Live's recommended H.264 bitrate for this resolution and frame rate.

What resolution and frame rate should I use for YouTube Live?

1920 x 1080 at 60 fps is a safe choice. YouTube Live: Up to 2160p (4K); 240p to 2160p ladder. Frame rate: Up to 60 fps.

Which codec should I pick in OBS for YouTube Live?

H.264, profile High, level 4.2, in an MP4 file. YouTube Live lists: H.264, H.265 (HEVC) or AV1; progressive, square pixels, 2 B-frames, 1 reference frame, CABAC. Keyframe 2 s (max 4 s).

Can I export HDR from OBS to YouTube Live?

YouTube Live has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.

OBS for other platforms

Hubs and tools

Shinel Studios

Rather send the footage and get YouTube Live-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.

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