Video Bitrate Calculator for YouTube
Use this free YouTube bitrate calculator to estimate YouTube bitrate, video file size, upload bitrate, and export settings by resolution, frame rate, SDR or HDR mode, audio type, and video length.
Calculate upload bitrate
Fully free. No signup or AI credits.
Minutes
Seconds
Optional. Compare a target export size with the recommended range.
Recommended video bitrate
8 Mbps
1080p, 30 fps, SDR.
Audio bitrate
384 kbps
Total bitrate
8.4 Mbps
Duration
8:00
Estimated export file size
Low end
503 MB
Mid estimate
503 MB
High end
503 MB
Export notes
This uses YouTube's standard frame rate recommendation for 24, 25, or 30 fps uploads.
Encode at the same frame rate the video was recorded in whenever possible.
For YouTube uploads, MP4 with H.264 video and AAC-LC audio is the common export target.
Quick answer
YouTube bitrate: what should you export?
If you need a fast YouTube bitrate answer, match the export bitrate to the video resolution, frame rate, and SDR or HDR mode. Use the bitrate calculator for the exact file-size estimate, then use these common targets as a starting point.
1080p YouTube bitrate
Use 8 Mbps for 24-30 fps SDR or 12 Mbps for 48-60 fps SDR.
4K YouTube bitrate
Use 35-45 Mbps for 24-30 fps SDR or 53-68 Mbps for 48-60 fps SDR.
Shorts bitrate
Use the 1080p bitrate target that matches the Short's frame rate and SDR or HDR mode.
Export check
Use the calculator as a pre-render export check
Start with the footage you have, then use YouTube's published reference values to estimate an export that fits the actual video and any file-size constraint.
Match the source
Choose the resolution and frame rate you actually recorded. YouTube recommends encoding and uploading at the same frame rate where possible.
Choose the reference row
Select SDR or HDR, then use the YouTube bitrate reference for the matching resolution and frame-rate band.
Estimate the whole export
The bitrate table is for video. Add the selected audio bitrate to estimate total file size for the finished duration.
Keep the output practical
A larger file is not automatically better. Use the result as an export-planning reference, because YouTube does not require an exact upload bitrate.
2026 recommendations
YouTube bitrate recommendations by resolution
YouTube publishes upload bitrate recommendations by resolution, frame rate, and dynamic range. Standard frame rate covers 24, 25, and 30 fps. High frame rate covers 48, 50, and 60 fps.
| Resolution | SDR 24-30 fps | SDR 48-60 fps | HDR 24-30 fps | HDR 48-60 fps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8K | 80-160 Mbps | 120-240 Mbps | 100-200 Mbps | 150-300 Mbps |
| 2160p / 4K | 35-45 Mbps | 53-68 Mbps | 44-56 Mbps | 66-85 Mbps |
| 1440p / 2K | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 30 Mbps |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps | 6.5 Mbps | 9.5 Mbps |
| 480p | 2.5 Mbps | 4 Mbps | Not listed | Not listed |
| 360p | 1 Mbps | 1.5 Mbps | Not listed | Not listed |
These values summarize YouTube Help's upload encoding settings. YouTube says there is no required bitrate limit for uploads, so use the table as a planning target and let the calculator estimate the file size for your exact duration.
Official YouTube sources
The calculator's bitrate and audio values follow YouTube's upload guidance. The Shorts notes apply that resolution-based table to a vertical export; they are Satura's export-planning guidance, not a separate YouTube Shorts rule.
Shorts exports
Shorts: use a vertical export, then the matching reference row
YouTube's upload guidance does not include a Shorts-only bitrate table. For a 1080 x 1920 vertical export, use the 1080p range that matches your frame rate and SDR or HDR mode. This is Satura's practical application of YouTube's resolution-based guidance, not a separate platform requirement.
1080p SDR vertical export
Use 8 Mbps for 24-30 fps or 12 Mbps for 48-60 fps. YouTube lists these values for 1080p; Satura applies them when planning a 1080 x 1920 Short export.
1080p HDR vertical export
Use 10 Mbps for 24-30 fps or 15 Mbps for 48-60 fps when exporting an HDR vertical video from an editor that supports HDR delivery.
Formula
Calculate video bitrate and file size
The bitrate calculator uses the same math editors use for export planning: bitrate multiplied by duration gives file size, while target file size divided by duration gives the bitrate you can afford.
Video bitrate from target size
(File size in GB x 8,000) / seconds
A 1 GB, 10-minute upload allows about 13.3 Mbps total bitrate.
File size from bitrate
(Total Mbps x seconds) / 8,000
12 Mbps for 10 minutes is about 0.9 GB before container overhead.
Total export bitrate
Video Mbps + audio Mbps
1080p 60 fps SDR video at 12 Mbps plus stereo audio at 0.384 Mbps.
Upload settings
Plan export bitrate before the upload starts
Bitrate affects export file size, upload time, and how much detail survives compression before YouTube processes the video. A 4K 60 fps upload needs a very different bitrate range than a 1080p 30 fps explainer or a short vertical clip.
This calculator is built for YouTube creators, faceless channel teams, editors, and automation operators who want quick export planning without digging through encoding tables. It gives the recommended video bitrate range, audio bitrate, total estimated bitrate, and likely file size.
The recommended bitrate ranges are based on YouTube Help's upload encoding settings. YouTube does not require an exact upload bitrate; use the result as a practical export target.
How to use it
Use it when setting export quality in your editor or checking whether a target file size is realistic for a YouTube upload.
Choose upload settings
Choose the resolution, frame rate, SDR or HDR mode, and audio layout for the upload.
Enter video length
Enter the finished video length to calculate the recommended bitrate range and file size.
Compare export settings
Compare the result with your export settings before uploading to YouTube.
What the bitrate calculator checks
The goal is not to chase the largest possible file. The goal is to pick export settings that match the video's resolution, frame rate, and dynamic range before you spend time rendering or uploading.
Match the recorded resolution and frame rate before choosing an export target.
Use YouTube's SDR or HDR reference row, then add audio when estimating total size.
Compare the calculated range with any delivery or storage limit before rendering.
Treat a vertical Shorts setting as an application of the resolution table, not a special platform rate.
Use it with Satura
Once the bitrate target is clear, Satura can help with editing, subtitles, thumbnails, script planning, and YouTube workflow checks.
Video Upscale Review Template
Record the completed upscale result, visual checks, open questions, and next action before planning the final export.
Free Video Editor
Edit and export YouTube videos in the browser after planning your bitrate.
YouTube Script Length Calculator
Estimate video duration before export settings are finalized.
YouTube Thumbnail Analyzer
Score the thumbnail after the video export is ready.
FAQ
What is a YouTube bitrate calculator?
A YouTube bitrate calculator estimates the video bitrate and file size to use before uploading to YouTube. It uses the video's resolution, frame rate, dynamic range, audio type, and duration to calculate an export target.
What is YouTube bitrate?
YouTube bitrate is the amount of video data encoded per second before upload. Higher bitrate usually preserves more detail, but it also increases file size and upload time. YouTube recommends bitrate targets by resolution, frame rate, and SDR or HDR mode.
Is this YouTube bitrate calculator free?
Yes. The calculator runs in your browser and is fully free without signup.
What bitrate should I use for YouTube?
Use a bitrate that matches your resolution and frame rate. For common SDR uploads, YouTube recommends 8 Mbps for 1080p 24-30 fps, 12 Mbps for 1080p 48-60 fps, 35-45 Mbps for 4K 24-30 fps, and 53-68 Mbps for 4K 48-60 fps.
What does the calculator use for YouTube bitrate recommendations?
It uses YouTube's published upload encoding recommendations for SDR and HDR video, audio, and standard or high frame rates. The visible tables summarize the same resolution-based guidance; YouTube presents these as recommendations, not a required upload bitrate limit.
What bitrate should I use for YouTube Shorts in 2026?
YouTube does not publish a separate Shorts-only bitrate table. For a 1080 x 1920 Short, Satura applies YouTube's 1080p range as a practical export-planning starting point: 8 Mbps for 24-30 fps SDR, 12 Mbps for 48-60 fps SDR, 10 Mbps for 24-30 fps HDR, or 15 Mbps for 48-60 fps HDR. Choose the row that matches your frame rate and dynamic range.
What is the best YouTube Short resolution?
1080 x 1920 is a common 9:16 export size for YouTube Shorts. YouTube's player adapts to vertical video, while its bitrate table is organized by resolution rather than a separate Shorts row. Satura therefore uses the official 1080p range as an export-planning reference for this vertical format.
What bitrate should I use for 4K YouTube videos?
For 4K SDR uploads, YouTube recommends 35-45 Mbps at standard frame rates and 53-68 Mbps at high frame rates. For 4K HDR uploads, the range is 44-56 Mbps at standard frame rates and 66-85 Mbps at high frame rates.
How do I calculate video bitrate?
To calculate video bitrate from a target file size, multiply the file size in GB by 8,000, divide by the video length in seconds, then subtract the audio bitrate. Use the calculator on this page if you want the math done automatically.
Is video data rate the same as bitrate?
In most video export tools, video data rate and video bitrate mean the same practical thing: how many megabits of video data are encoded per second. Use the data rate or bitrate target that matches your resolution, frame rate, dynamic range, and file-size goal.
How do I calculate video file size from bitrate?
Multiply total bitrate in Mbps by video duration in seconds, then divide by 8,000 to estimate file size in GB. For example, 12 Mbps for 600 seconds is roughly 0.9 GB before container overhead.
Can this estimate YouTube export file size?
Yes. Enter the video length, resolution, frame rate, dynamic range, and audio type to estimate the likely file size from the recommended bitrate range.
Does YouTube require an exact bitrate?
No. YouTube says no bitrate limit is required for uploads, but it provides recommended video bitrates for reference. Use this tool as export planning guidance, not a hard rule.