Set FFmpeg’s output dimensions to the resolution you intend to send to YouTube Live, preserve the source’s aspect ratio, and configure bitrate and frame rate for that same ingest target. YouTube detects encoder settings automatically by default; manual resolution selection is available in Live Control Room when you use a custom stream key. YouTube then transcodes the incoming stream into viewer formats, so you configure the feed you send—not each playback rendition.
Choose the ingest resolution and frame rate first
Start with the quality your source can genuinely provide and the upload capacity available to your encoder. The bitrate required depends on both resolution and frame rate, not resolution alone. The following are YouTube Help’s H.264 ingest figures on its current encoder-settings page, accessed 2026-10-03; minimums and recommendations are configuration guidance, not a guarantee of stable delivery.
| Ingest target | Minimum bitrate | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p30 | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p60 | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
Use a speed test to check sustained upload capacity and leave headroom rather than setting the encoder at the full measured rate. If the connection or source cannot support a higher target reliably, choose a lower resolution or frame rate. YouTube’s encoder recommendations and interface can change; check the current YouTube Live encoder settings before an event.
Match FFmpeg’s dimensions without distorting the picture
Set one dimension and preserve proportions
For a 1280-pixel-wide output while retaining the source aspect ratio, use this scale-filter fragment:
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-vf "scale=1280:-2"
The negative value asks FFmpeg to calculate the other dimension proportionally, with an even-compatible size. This is a filter fragment, not a complete streaming command: the input, encoder, audio handling, protocol URL, credentials, and installed FFmpeg build all affect the full command.
Decide what to do when aspect ratios differ
A target width or height alone is appropriate when the source shape is already right for the intended frame. If the source and output frame shapes differ, choose deliberately: fit the whole image and add padding, or fill the frame by cropping some image area. Avoid stretching, which changes the apparent shape of people and objects. FFmpeg’s scale filter documentation describes force_original_aspect_ratio for keeping output within or beyond a specified width-and-height box. Verify the resulting dimensions and framing before going live.
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Configure the complete YouTube ingest
Resolution is only one part of a valid stream. YouTube’s current live encoder guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS, H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and AV1; rates up to 60 fps; constant bitrate (CBR); and a recommended two-second keyframe frequency that should not exceed four seconds. YouTube recommends RTMPS. Confirm that your installed FFmpeg build actually provides the codec and encoder options you plan to use.
- Use a frame rate no higher than the intended ingest target and no higher than the supported limit in YouTube’s current guidance.
- Set CBR and a two-second keyframe interval; do not exceed YouTube’s four-second ceiling.
- Use square pixels, progressive scan, CABAC, and two B-frames as recommended by YouTube.
- For SDR, use Rec. 709. For RTMP/RTMPS audio, YouTube lists AAC or MP3.
- Set bitrate for the chosen resolution and frame rate, then test the whole stream with representative motion and audio.
See YouTube’s encoder settings for the latest supported formats and values. The documentation does not guarantee that every local FFmpeg build exposes every listed encoder.
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Choose automatic detection or manual resolution
YouTube detects encoder settings automatically by default. If you need to select the ingest resolution in Live Control Room, use a custom stream key and enable manual settings. Regardless of that choice, ensure FFmpeg’s encoded output actually matches the resolution and frame rate you intend to send. YouTube transcodes the incoming live feed into multiple formats for viewers; you do not need to encode each viewer rendition yourself.
Pre-live checklist and troubleshooting
Before starting the event
- Choose a resolution and frame rate that suit the source detail, motion, and available upload capacity.
- Choose YouTube’s automatic detection or configure manual resolution using a custom stream key.
- Apply a proportional scale or explicitly choose fit-with-padding or crop for a different aspect ratio.
- Set a supported codec, CBR, a two-second keyframe interval (never over four seconds), and the bitrate appropriate to the target.
- Check FFmpeg’s output dimensions, then test with similar audio and motion to the planned stream.
- While live, monitor YouTube stream-health messages and respond to warnings rather than assuming the configured values guarantee stable delivery.
Common symptoms and fixes
- Picture looks stretched: the output dimensions changed the source proportions. Use proportional scaling, or choose padding or cropping intentionally.
- Output dimensions are not the expected target: inspect the actual output after applying the scale filter and check the installed FFmpeg version and filter behavior.
- Stream is unstable or YouTube reports health problems: compare the configured bitrate with sustained upload capacity, reduce the target if needed, and test representative material. A recommended bitrate does not ensure that a particular connection can sustain it.
- A listed codec or option is unavailable: the local FFmpeg build may not include that encoder or expose the required options. Confirm the build’s capabilities and select a supported option.
- Manual resolution selection is unavailable: YouTube’s manual selection requires a custom stream key; otherwise, leave detection automatic.
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Quick Recap
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