A codec is the method that compresses and decompresses video or audio. For a YouTube Live broadcast, your encoder uses codecs to prepare the picture and sound; an ingestion protocol such as RTMP or RTMPS carries that encoded stream to YouTube. They are separate choices, and the codec must be compatible with the protocol and encoder you use.
What a codec does in a live stream
“Codec” combines the ideas of encoding and decoding. A video codec compresses moving images so they can be sent over a network and later reconstructed for viewing. An audio codec does the same for sound. Compression reduces the amount of data compared with sending uncompressed media, while the codec’s settings and the source material affect the resulting quality and bitrate.
In a typical live workflow, a camera or media source feeds an encoder. The encoder compresses the video and audio with selected codecs, then sends them to YouTube. YouTube receives the stream and prepares viewer-facing versions. The encoder’s codec is therefore not the same thing as the format or protocol used to deliver the stream.
Codec vs. streaming protocol
A codec describes how media is encoded. A protocol describes how the encoded stream is transported to YouTube. RTMP, RTMPS, HLS, and DASH are ingestion protocols, not codecs. Compatibility depends on the combination: a codec supported by an encoder is not automatically supported with every ingestion protocol.
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| Protocol | Video codecs listed by Google | Transport and typical use |
|---|---|---|
| RTMP | H.264 | Suitable for normal, low, or ultra-low latency; transport is not encrypted. |
| RTMPS | H.264 | RTMP over encrypted transport; suitable for normal, low, or ultra-low latency. |
| HLS | H.264, H.265/HEVC | Encrypted, segment-based delivery generally associated with higher latency. HLS disables Ultra low-latency mode. |
| DASH | H.264, VP9 | Encrypted, segment-based delivery generally associated with higher latency. |
These combinations and descriptions are from Google’s YouTube Live Streaming Ingestion Protocol Comparison. Newer codecs can compress more efficiently than H.264, but use them only when your encoder and the selected YouTube ingestion protocol both support the combination.
Which codecs YouTube Live lists
For its general RTMP/RTMPS encoder settings, YouTube currently lists H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and AV1 video, with AAC or MP3 audio. The platform also says 5.1 surround sound over RTMP/RTMPS is supported only with AAC. YouTube’s general settings list frame rates up to 60 fps. These are YouTube’s platform settings, checked October 3, 2026; confirm the current guidance before configuring a particular encoder because support and recommendations can change.
H.264
H.264 is a widely used video codec and is listed for RTMP/RTMPS, HLS, and DASH in Google’s protocol comparison. It may require a higher bitrate than newer codecs for the same resolution and frame rate in YouTube’s recommended settings. It remains a practical choice when compatibility with a particular encoder or workflow is the priority.
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H.265 / HEVC
H.265, also called HEVC, is listed in YouTube’s general RTMP/RTMPS settings, and YouTube’s HLS guidance also supports HEVC. The protocol comparison does not list it for DASH or RTMP. Do not assume that HEVC is accepted through every route simply because it appears in the general encoder settings; verify the chosen protocol and encoder together.
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AV1 and other formats
YouTube lists AV1 for its general RTMP/RTMPS encoder settings, but Google’s protocol comparison table does not list AV1 among the codecs for RTMP/RTMPS, HLS, or DASH. This difference makes checking the current setup path especially important before selecting AV1. The comparison lists VP9 for DASH, not for the other protocols described there.
Audio codecs and settings
YouTube’s general RTMP/RTMPS encoder guidance lists AAC and MP3 audio. For stereo, it recommends a 44.1 kHz sample rate and 128 Kbps; for 5.1 audio, it recommends 48 kHz and 384 Kbps. Its 5.1-over-RTMP/RTMPS support is limited to AAC. For HLS, YouTube’s setup guidance lists AAC, AC3, and EAC3 audio, so audio support also depends on the ingestion protocol.
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These are YouTube recommendations for the stated configurations, not universal rules for every codec or delivery system. Match your encoder’s audio output to the selected protocol and channel layout.
Bitrate recommendations for YouTube Live
Bitrate is the amount of encoded data sent per second. It is not a standalone measure of quality: the useful setting depends on resolution, frame rate, codec, encoder capability, and the stability of your upload connection. YouTube’s current recommended bitrate values include:
| Resolution and frame rate | AV1 or H.265 recommendation | H.264 recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) at 60 fps | 35 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
These figures are YouTube’s recommended encoder settings, not guarantees of picture quality or proof that a particular connection can sustain them. YouTube advises testing upload speed, choosing a setting the connection can reliably maintain, testing with audio and motion similar to the actual stream, and monitoring stream health.
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Key settings beyond the codec
YouTube’s current general encoder guidance recommends CBR bitrate encoding and a keyframe interval of 2 seconds; the interval should not exceed 4 seconds. It also recommends square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, and CABAC. The listed maximum frame rate is 60 fps.
For SDR, YouTube lists Rec. 709 color and 8-bit depth. For HDR it lists H.265/HEVC and 10-bit depth, and states that AV1 is not supported for HDR. Treat these as platform settings rather than universal codec requirements. Check that the selected encoder and ingestion route support the settings you intend to send.
Advanced option: sending HLS to YouTube
HLS can be useful for workflows that need its supported codec combinations, but it has implementation requirements beyond selecting a codec in an encoder menu. YouTube’s HLS setup guidance specifies TS segments, HTTPS POST/PUT requests, a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments, and segment durations from one to four seconds. HLS turns off the Ultra low-latency option. Consult YouTube’s HLS setup instructions and verify your sending software implements the required behavior.
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How to choose settings for your stream
- Choose a supported ingestion route. For a standard encoder workflow, check YouTube’s current encoder settings. If you are using HLS or DASH, check the protocol-specific codec support rather than assuming the general settings apply unchanged.
- Confirm the encoder supports the combination. Verify codec, protocol, resolution, frame rate, and any HDR or surround-sound requirements in the encoder’s settings and documentation.
- Set a realistic resolution and frame rate. Higher resolution or frame rate increases the data demand. Use the YouTube bitrate recommendation for that exact combination as a starting point, not as a required target.
- Check upload capacity and stability. Test the connection and leave headroom rather than setting a stream bitrate that consumes all available upload bandwidth. A brief speed result is not a guarantee of sustained performance.
- Apply YouTube’s encoder recommendations. Use CBR, a 2-second keyframe interval (never over 4 seconds), and the other recommended parameters your encoder exposes.
- Run a representative test. Include the same kind of motion and audio as the real program, then inspect YouTube stream health and adjust if the connection or encoder cannot sustain the settings.
Common codec and stream problems
- YouTube rejects the input or the stream will not start: The codec may not be supported for the chosen protocol, or the encoder may be sending a combination YouTube does not accept. Confirm protocol-specific support and compare the output settings with YouTube’s current encoder guidance.
- Video stutters or stream health reports instability: The bitrate may exceed sustained upload capacity, or the connection may fluctuate. Test upload speed, reduce bitrate or resolution, and retest under representative conditions.
- Picture quality is poor despite a high bitrate: Check that resolution and frame rate match the source, the encoder is not overloaded, and the bitrate setting is appropriate for the codec. A bitrate recommendation is not a quality guarantee.
- Audio is missing or incompatible: Check that the audio codec matches the ingestion protocol. For 5.1 over RTMP/RTMPS, YouTube specifies AAC; also verify sample rate, bitrate, and channel layout.
- HDR does not appear as intended: YouTube’s general guidance specifies HEVC and 10-bit depth for HDR and says AV1 is not supported for HDR. Check color format and encoder support as well as the protocol.
- Ultra low latency is unavailable: HLS disables that option. If latency is a priority, compare supported protocols and their latency behavior before choosing the workflow.
YouTube’s LiveStreams documentation describes stream-health error information for API workflows; use the status details available in your own YouTube Live setup to narrow down input problems.
Copyright and content rights still apply
A supported codec only means the media can be encoded and delivered in a technically compatible way. It does not grant rights to the video or music in a broadcast, nor does it ensure compliance with YouTube’s monetization or content policies. Use material you own or have permission to stream, and review YouTube’s current rules for copyrighted and reused content before going live.
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