To change the resolution YouTube receives from OBS, open Settings > Video and enter your target dimensions in Output (Scaled) Resolution. Keep Base (Canvas) Resolution matched to the space in which you arrange your sources; lowering the canvas is not required just because you want a smaller stream. YouTube usually detects the incoming resolution and frame rate automatically.
Set the stream resolution in OBS
- In OBS Studio, open Settings > Video. The exact controls can vary by OBS version and output mode.
- Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to suit your source and scene layout. This is the workspace OBS uses to position sources, not necessarily the size sent to YouTube.
- Enter your desired width and height in Output (Scaled) Resolution. For example, choose 1920Ă—1080 for 1080p or 1280Ă—720 for 720p. OBS scales the canvas to these output dimensions.
- Choose a value under Common FPS Values. Use a frame rate your computer can render and encode reliably; 60 fps can require substantially more system resources than 30 fps.
- If output resolution is smaller than the canvas, choose a downscale filter. Keep the intended aspect ratio so the image is not stretched.
- Apply the settings and test the stream with representative motion and audio before the event. Check YouTube’s stream health while testing and during the broadcast.
OBS describes the canvas as the space available to fit sources and the scaled output as the resolution at which the stream or recording is produced. See the OBS Studio Overview Guide.
Understand the resolution controls
Base (Canvas) Resolution
This is the layout workspace for scenes and sources. Lowering it can change how sources fit and may mean repositioning or resizing them. Keep it appropriate for your captured material and scene design unless you have a specific reason to change the workspace.
Output (Scaled) Resolution
This is the usual control for the dimensions of the stream sent to YouTube (and the recording output, depending on your setup). Use it when you want a custom stream size without rebuilding the scene at a smaller canvas size.
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Output-level rescaling
In some Advanced output configurations, OBS also offers Output > Streaming > Rescale Output. This can be useful when streaming and recording need different resolutions. It is a separate scaling control and can add complexity; menu location and availability depend on the installed OBS version and output mode. OBS discusses configuring streaming and recording independently in its overview; its encoding performance troubleshooting guide addresses scaling and performance.
Choose dimensions and preserve the picture shape
For a conventional landscape stream, 16:9 is common. Typical 16:9 choices include 1920Ă—1080 (1080p), 1280Ă—720 (720p), and 3840Ă—2160 (4K). A different ratio can make sense for a particular source or presentation. If source, canvas, and output ratios do not match, OBS may leave bars or crop content; stretching the image to fill the frame distorts it. Review the OBS aspect-ratio guide and preview the whole frame before going live.
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Match bitrate, codec, frame rate, and connection
Resolution alone does not determine whether a stream will be stable. Select bitrate in light of resolution, frame rate, codec, and the upload capacity you can sustain. The figures below are YouTube’s published recommended incoming-video bitrates, not guarantees for a particular connection. YouTube recommends choosing a quality your connection can reliably deliver, testing upload speed, and leaving bandwidth headroom.
| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 recommended bitrate | AV1/H.265 recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s recommendations on its live encoder settings page, accessed 2026-10-03. Consult that page for other combinations and current guidance. YouTube recommends constant bitrate (CBR) and a two-second keyframe interval, with a maximum interval of four seconds. These encoder settings complement, but do not replace, a stable upload connection.
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Does YouTube need a separate resolution setting?
Usually, no. YouTube Help says, “By default (recommended), YouTube will automatically detect your resolution and frame rate.” If you need to specify them manually, YouTube’s stated workflow is to create a custom stream key and turn on manual settings under Stream Resolution in Live Control Room. Use that option only when you have a reason to override detection, and make sure the selected YouTube settings match the stream OBS sends. See YouTube’s encoder settings instructions.
Troubleshoot a soft, choppy, or unstable stream
OBS looks choppy or reports encoding overload
Reduce Output (Scaled) Resolution or frame rate first; lowering output resolution reduces encoder load. If the problem continues, simplify demanding scenes, sources, or filters. Lowering the canvas is a less convenient general fix because it can require scene-layout changes; consider it only when the computer is seriously constrained. OBS outlines these trade-offs in its encoding performance guide.
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The image is stretched, cropped, or surrounded by bars
Check the source, canvas, and output aspect ratios. Preserve the intended ratio instead of stretching to fill. Bars can be appropriate when they preserve the full source image; cropping can be appropriate when the important content remains visible. Preview the result at the target output size.
YouTube does not show the resolution you expected
Confirm OBS’s Output (Scaled) Resolution, frame rate, and any enabled streaming rescale setting. If YouTube is using manual stream-resolution settings, verify that the custom key’s setting agrees with OBS; otherwise, allow YouTube to detect the incoming stream. Check YouTube stream health rather than relying only on OBS’s local preview.
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The stream drops frames or loses connection
Check whether the chosen bitrate leaves adequate upload headroom and whether the connection remains stable under load. YouTube advises testing upload speed and choosing a reliable quality rather than simply selecting the largest resolution. If necessary, reduce bitrate, resolution, or frame rate and test again.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Test before the real broadcast
- Run a test using the same scenes, motion, audio, resolution, frame rate, and bitrate planned for the event.
- Inspect the image for distortion, unwanted cropping, or bars, and listen for audio problems.
- Monitor YouTube stream health during the test and broadcast. YouTube Help explicitly advises: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.”
More setup guidance is in YouTube’s streaming tips and its encoder settings page.
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