Shotcut export settings for Discord.
1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, H.264, 5 Mbps and AAC 128 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in Shotcut.
Shotcut to Discord
Shinel recommendation- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Frame rate
- 30 fps, constant
- Codec
- H.264, profile High, level 4.0
- Bitrate
- Average Bitrate + Dual pass: target 5 Mbps (5000 kbps), max 5.5 Mbps
- Keyframes
- Every 2 s = 60 frames, 2 B-frames, closed GOP
- Audio
- AAC-LC, 128 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)
Sized so a 0:30 clip fits the 20 MB limit with 4% headroom.
Estimated size: 19.4 MB for 0:30.
Step by step in Shotcut
- 1Settings > Video Mode: pick 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps (or Custom > Add to make it).
- 2Open the Export panel and choose the stock preset YouTube (H.264/AAC MP4), then click Advanced.
- 3Video tab: Resolution 1920 x 1080, Frames/sec 30, Scan mode Progressive.
- 4Codec tab: Codec libx264. Rate control Average Bitrate + Dual pass, Bitrate 5M.
- 5Codec tab: GOP 60 frames, B frames 2. Tick Dual pass if you chose Average Bitrate.
- 6Audio tab: 2 (stereo), 48000 Hz, aac, 128k.
- 7Click Export Video/Audio, name the file and save. Progress shows in the Jobs panel.
Discord upload limits
Each value links to where it was published.
- Free: 20 MB
- Nitro Basic: 50 MB
- Nitro: 1 GB
- Server Boost Level 2 (in that server): 50 MB
- Server Boost Level 3 (in that server): 100 MB
Common mistakes
- Exporting at YouTube quality and then sending it to Discord. Set the bitrate for the length of the clip (here 5000 kbps for 0:30) so Discord does not refuse or squash it.
- Typing 2 into Shotcut's keyframe field. It counts frames, not seconds: at 30 fps that is 60.
- Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to Discord. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
- Rate control, bitrate and GOP live on the Codec tab, not the Video tab.
- The stock YouTube preset uses quality-based VBR with a GOP of 15 frames; change it if a platform wants 2-second keyframes.
For comparison, YouTube publishes 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps. Example length used for sizes: 0:30.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I export from Shotcut for Discord?
For 1080p at 30 fps use about 5 Mbps (5000 kbps), VBR, 2 pass, with a maximum of 5.5 Mbps. Sized so a 0:30 clip fits the 20 MB limit with 4% headroom.
What resolution and frame rate should I use for Discord?
1920 x 1080 at 30 fps is a safe choice.
What is the maximum file size and length on Discord?
File size: Free 20 MB; Nitro Basic 50 MB; Nitro 1 GB. Boosted servers: 50 MB (Level 2), 100 MB (Level 3) for all members in that server.
Which codec should I pick in Shotcut for Discord?
H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file.
Can I export HDR from Shotcut to Discord?
Discord has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.
Shotcut for other platforms
Other editors for Discord
Hubs and tools
Shinel Studios
Rather send the footage and get Discord-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.