Video Bitrate Calculator
Find the ideal bitrate for streaming, screen recording, and uploads. Pick your resolution, frame rate, and motion level — get the recommended bitrate, file size, and upload speed instantly.
Based on the bits-per-pixel method: width × height × frame rate × motion factor, adjusted for codec efficiency. Use the range as a starting point and check the result on your actual footage.
Recommended bitrate for YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok
Platform encoders re-compress everything you send, so upload at a higher bitrate than the playback target. These are the ranges that hold up in practice:
| Platform | Format | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube upload | 1080p 60fps | 12 Mbps |
| YouTube upload | 4K 60fps | 53–68 Mbps |
| YouTube Live | 1080p 60fps | 4.5–9 Mbps |
| Twitch | 1080p 60fps | 6–8 Mbps (8 max) |
| TikTok / Reels | 1080×1920 30fps | 6–10 Mbps |
| App Store preview | 1080p 30fps | 10–12 Mbps |
| Screen recording (archive) | Native 60fps | 10–16 Mbps |
How this bitrate calculator works
The calculator uses the bits-per-pixel (BPP) method that encoders are actually judged by: bitrate = width × height × frame rate × BPP. Low-motion content like slides needs about 0.07 bits per pixel, screen recordings and app demos need about 0.1, and fast gameplay needs 0.15 or more.
Modern codecs then shrink that budget: H.265/HEVC needs roughly 35% less bitrate than H.264 for the same quality, and AV1 roughly 45% less. The result is a starting range, not a law — always check the output on the busiest section of your footage.
Want the full theory, encoder settings, and troubleshooting? Read the companion guide: Streaming Video Bitrate Calculator: A Practical Guide. Already have a file and want to know its bitrate? Use the free video bitrate checker.
Bitrate calculator FAQ
What bitrate should I use for 1080p video?
For 1080p at 30fps with H.264, aim for about 6-8 Mbps for typical content and 10-12 Mbps for high-motion footage. At 60fps, roughly double the 30fps number. Screen recordings with mostly static UI can look great at 5-6 Mbps.
What bitrate should I use for streaming on Twitch or YouTube?
Twitch caps ingest around 8 Mbps, so 6-8 Mbps for 1080p60 is the sweet spot. YouTube Live recommends 4.5-9 Mbps for 1080p60. Always leave headroom: your upload speed should be at least 1.5x your streaming bitrate.
Does a higher bitrate always mean better quality?
No. Past a certain point extra bits stop improving the image and only inflate the file. Quality is capped by resolution, frame rate, and the source footage. The calculator's bits-per-pixel formula finds the point where more bitrate stops paying off.
How do I check the bitrate of a video I already have?
Use our free video bitrate checker: drop a file in and it reads the duration, resolution, and overall bitrate right in your browser. Nothing gets uploaded. Open the video bitrate checker →
How is video file size calculated from bitrate?
File size = (video bitrate + audio bitrate) x duration / 8. For example, 8 Mbps video plus 192 kbps audio for 10 minutes is roughly 615 MB. The calculator shows per-minute and per-hour sizes for your exact settings.
Stop guessing bitrates entirely
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