Live streaming · Global
YouTube Live export settings and upload specs.
What YouTube Live publishes about youtube live (encoder) uploads, with a link to each source, and the settings we would export with.
Recommended export
Official1920 x 1080 · 60 fps · H.264 High level 4.2 · 17 Mbps CBR · keyframe every 2 s · AAC 128 kbps 44.1 kHz · Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range
YouTube Live's recommended H.264 bitrate for this resolution and frame rate.
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
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
Good to know about YouTube Live
- Full live table (Mbps, min / recommended): 1440p60 H.264 8/34, HEVC 6/24; 1440p30 H.264 7/21, HEVC 5/15; 720p H.264 3/8, HEVC 2/6.
YouTube Live export settings by editing app
Other YouTube formats
Frequently asked questions
What are the best export settings for YouTube Live?
1920 x 1080, 60 fps, H.264 High, 17 Mbps CBR, AAC 128 kbps at 44.1 kHz, in an MP4. YouTube Live's recommended H.264 bitrate for this resolution and frame rate.
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.