YouTube Live Encoder Settings in 2026: Bitrate, Resolution, FPS & Codecs

A stable YouTube live stream depends on matching encoder settings to your connection. Resolution alone does not determine quality; codec, bitrate, frame rate, upload headroom and latency all matter.

YouTube can auto-detect resolution and frame rate

In Live Control Room, YouTube can automatically detect your encoder’s resolution and frame rate. Manual resolution settings can also be enabled with a custom stream key when needed.

Recommended 1080p bitrates

YouTube’s current encoder guidance lists these recommendations:

• 1080p60: about 12 Mbps with AV1/H.265, or 17 Mbps with H.264.
• 1080p30: about 10 Mbps with AV1/H.265, or 14 Mbps with H.264.

Minimum values are lower, but the recommended targets provide more quality headroom if the connection can sustain them.

Recommended 1440p bitrates

• 1440p60: about 24 Mbps with AV1/H.265, or 34 Mbps with H.264.
• 1440p30: about 15 Mbps with AV1/H.265, or 21 Mbps with H.264.

Recommended 4K bitrates

• 2160p60: about 35 Mbps with AV1/H.265, or 50 Mbps with H.264.
• 2160p30: about 30 Mbps with AV1/H.265, or 42 Mbps with H.264.

YouTube notes that 4K live streams are optimized for quality and use Normal latency rather than Low or Ultra-low latency.

720p settings

For 720p at either 30 or 60 fps, YouTube currently recommends about 6 Mbps with AV1/H.265 or about 8 Mbps with H.264.

Supported video codecs

YouTube Live supports:

• H.264
• H.265 / HEVC
• AV1

Codec choice depends on your hardware and workflow. AV1 and H.265 can deliver stronger compression efficiency than H.264, but encoder support and compatibility vary.

Use CBR

YouTube’s current guidance specifies CBR for bitrate control. Stable bitrate behavior helps the ingest system and reduces unexpected network spikes.

Keyframe interval

YouTube recommends a keyframe interval of 2 seconds and says not to exceed 4 seconds.

Frame rate

YouTube supports up to 60 fps for standard live encoder workflows. Use 60 fps for fast motion such as gaming or sports when the upload connection and encoder can sustain it. Use 30 fps when lower bandwidth or reduced encoder load is more important.

Audio settings

YouTube supports AAC or MP3 audio. Current guidance lists 128 Kbps for stereo and 384 Kbps for 5.1 surround with the applicable supported workflow.

RTMPS is recommended

YouTube recommends RTMPS because it encrypts the stream connection between the encoder and YouTube’s servers.

Do not max out your upload connection

A speed test result is not a guarantee of sustained upload capacity. Leave headroom instead of configuring a stream bitrate equal to the highest number your connection briefly reaches.

For example, a line that tests at 20 Mbps upload may be unreliable for a 17 Mbps H.264 1080p60 stream if the connection fluctuates.

Encoder checklist

1. Run an upload speed test.
2. Choose resolution and frame rate based on the content.
3. Select a codec your hardware can encode reliably.
4. Use CBR.
5. Set a 2-second keyframe interval.
6. Leave bandwidth headroom.
7. Run an unlisted test with real motion and audio.
8. Monitor Stream Health during the event.

For latency tradeoffs, see our YouTube Live Stream Latency guide.

Official source

See YouTube’s current encoder settings, bitrate and resolution documentation.