YouTube recommended upload encoding settings

These features are only available to partners who use YouTube Studio Content Manager.

Below are recommended upload encoding settings for your videos on YouTube.

The bitrates below are recommendations for uploads. Audio playback bitrate is not related to video resolution.

Recommended video bitrates for SDR uploads

To view new 4K uploads in 4K, use a browser or device that supports VP9.

Type Video Bitrate, Standard Frame Rate
(24, 25, 30)
Video Bitrate, High Frame Rate
(48, 50, 60)
8K 80 - 160 Mbps 120 to 240 Mbps
2160p (4K) 35–45 Mbps 53–68 Mbps
1440p (2K) 16 Mbps 24 Mbps
1080p 8 Mbps 12 Mbps
720p 5 Mbps 7.5 Mbps
480p 2.5 Mbps 4 Mbps
360p 1 Mbps 1.5 Mbps

Recommended video bitrates for HDR uploads

Type Video Bitrate, Standard Frame Rate
(24, 25, 30)
Video Bitrate, High Frame Rate
(48, 50, 60)
8K 100 - 200 Mbps 150 to 300 Mbps
2160p (4K) 44–56 Mbps 66–85 Mbps
1440p (2K) 20 Mbps 30 Mbps
1080p 10 Mbps 15 Mbps
720p 6.5 Mbps 9.5 Mbps
480p

Not supported

Not supported
360p Not supported Not supported

Recommended audio bitrates for uploads

Type Audio Bitrate
Mono 128 kbps
Stereo 384 kbps
5.1 512 kbps
Note: For Eclipsa Audio (immersive audio), we recommend 128 kbps per channel.
Learn how to use Spatial Audio, 360 video, and virtual reality video so your viewers can experience your video's sound in all directions, just like real life.