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For most YouTube uploads, export a progressive MP4 using H.264, keep the frame rate the same as your recording, and choose a resolution that fits the source footage and intended viewing. The standard computer playback shape is 16:9, but YouTube’s player adapts to vertical, square, and other aspect ratios. An upload can be up to 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less.
What resolution should you upload to YouTube?
Use the resolution that suits your footage and the detail you want viewers to see. YouTube lists these common 16:9 dimensions, from 240p through 8K. Choosing a larger export does not create detail that was not captured in the source.
| Label | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| 8K / 4320p | 7680 Ă— 4320 |
| 4K / 2160p | 3840 Ă— 2160 |
| 1440p / 2K | 2560 Ă— 1440 |
| 1080p / HD | 1920 Ă— 1080 |
| 720p / HD | 1280 Ă— 720 |
| 480p / SD | 854 Ă— 480 |
| 360p / SD | 640 Ă— 360 |
| 240p / SD | 426 Ă— 240 |
YouTube notes that playback support for some resolutions between 4K and 8K has been removed; 5K is one example of a resolution that may not be supported. Check the YouTube Help page on video resolution and aspect ratios if you are considering an unusual size.
Which aspect ratio should you use?
“The standard aspect ratio for YouTube on a computer is 16:9,” according to YouTube Help. That is a useful default for conventional horizontal video, but it is not a requirement for every upload: the player adjusts to vertical, square, and other shapes to fit the video and viewer’s device. On some computer and device aspect ratios, vertical video may appear with padding around it.
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Do not add black bars or extra padding directly to the video just to force a particular shape. YouTube advises against baking them in because they interfere with the player’s ability to adapt its layout. Frame the subject for the aspect ratio you actually intend to publish.
Recommended upload format and encoding settings
YouTube’s recommendations for pre-recorded uploads include MP4, H.264 video, progressive scan, variable bitrate, and a frame rate that matches the recording. The recommendations are guidance for export settings, not a guarantee that every other format will be rejected. For interlaced footage, YouTube says to deinterlace it. For SDR uploads, its recommendation is BT.709.
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- Container and video codec: MP4 with H.264.
- Scan: progressive; deinterlace interlaced footage.
- Frame rate: match the recording. YouTube lists common rates of 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps; other rates are also accepted.
- Bitrate mode: variable bitrate.
- SDR color: BT.709.
The following are YouTube’s recommended SDR upload video bitrates in Mbps, not mandatory limits. Select the column matching your frame rate.
| Resolution | Standard frame rate (24, 25, 30 fps) | High frame rate (48, 50, 60 fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 8K | 80–160 Mbps | 120–240 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 |
HDR and audio recommendations
HDR upload recommendations differ from the SDR table. For example, YouTube recommends 44–56 Mbps for 2160p (4K) at standard frame rates and 66–85 Mbps at high frame rates; for 1080p, it recommends 10 Mbps and 15 Mbps respectively. The same YouTube guidance lists audio bitrate recommendations of 128 kbps for mono, 384 kbps for stereo, and 512 kbps for 5.1 audio. See the complete YouTube recommended upload encoding settings for the full HDR table and other details.
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What is the maximum YouTube upload file size?
YouTube’s stated maximum is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less. By default, an account can upload videos up to 15 minutes long; account verification enables uploads longer than that. See YouTube’s guidance on uploading videos longer than 15 minutes for the current verification steps.
File size depends chiefly on bitrate and duration, alongside the audio and container data. If a file exceeds 256 GB, YouTube suggests compressing it in video-editing software and using H.264. Compression can reduce size, but the result’s visual quality depends on the settings and footage; it does not guarantee a particular quality.
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Why does my upload look low-resolution at first?
YouTube converts uploads to the highest resolution available, and processing time varies with quality, length, format, and traffic. A newly uploaded video may initially play only at lower resolutions while higher-quality versions are still processing; YouTube says that can take several hours. If higher resolutions still do not appear, consult its troubleshooting guidance for upload audio and video issues.
Keep upload settings separate from livestream settings
The bitrate table above is for uploading a finished video file. A live encoder sends a real-time stream to YouTube and uses separate ingestion recommendations. For example, YouTube’s live guidance recommends 14 Mbps for H.264 at 1080p and 30 fps, while its upload guidance recommends 8 Mbps for 1080p SDR at standard frame rates. Those values describe different workflows, not competing targets. See YouTube’s live encoder settings and bitrate guidance when configuring an actual livestream.
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