Video Bitrate Calculator
Get platform-specific recommended export bitrate and full export settings for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo, and more — for any resolution and frame rate.
Get Recommended Bitrate & Export Settings
Free · No signupRecommended bitrate
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Recommendations based on official platform guidelines and practitioner best practices as of 2026. Platforms re-encode all uploads — higher source bitrate generally produces better final quality. Always verify against the platform's current help documentation before a major delivery.
Platform Bitrate Reference
YouTube recommended bitrates (H.264)
| Resolution | Standard (24/25/30fps) | High frame rate (48/50/60fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
YouTube recommended bitrates (H.265 / HEVC)
| Resolution | Standard (24/25/30fps) | High frame rate (48/50/60fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K) | 13–18 Mbps | 18 Mbps |
| 1440p (2K) | 7.5–10 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p | 4–5 Mbps | 6.5 Mbps |
| 720p | 2.5 Mbps | 3.5 Mbps |
Social platform requirements
| Platform | Max resolution | Recommended bitrate | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 1080p | 8–15 Mbps (source) | MP4, H.264, 9:16 |
| Instagram Reels | 1080p | 8–15 Mbps (source) | MP4, H.264, 9:16 |
| Instagram Feed | 1080p | 8–15 Mbps (source) | MP4, H.264, up to 4:5 |
| YouTube Shorts | 1080p | Same as YouTube 1080p | MP4, H.264, 9:16 |
| Vimeo Basic | 1080p | Up to 500 MB/week | MP4, H.264 or H.265 |
| Vimeo Pro+ | 4K | Up to 20–25 Mbps | MP4, ProRes, or H.264 |
Platform specifications change. TikTok and Instagram in particular update their compression pipelines frequently. Always verify against the platform's current creator help documentation before a high-stakes upload.
Bitrate Explained
What bitrate actually is
Bitrate is the amount of data encoded per second of video, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bitrate means more data, which generally means better visual quality — but also larger files and longer upload times.
The relationship between bitrate and file size: File size (GB) = Bitrate (Mbps) × Duration (seconds) ÷ 8 ÷ 1000. Use the video file size calculator to estimate storage needs from any bitrate.
Why platforms re-encode your video
Every major platform — YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo — re-encodes your upload into multiple quality tiers for adaptive streaming. This means your exported file is not what viewers watch. They watch the platform's re-encoded version.
The implication: uploading at a higher bitrate than the platform's minimum gives their encoder more data to work with, which typically produces a better final result for viewers. This is why uploading a 50 Mbps master to YouTube produces better quality than uploading an 8 Mbps file — even though both get re-encoded.
VBR vs CBR
| Mode | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| VBR 1-pass | Varies bitrate in a single encode pass — faster but less accurate | Quick exports, streaming previews |
| VBR 2-pass | Analyses the whole video first, then encodes — best quality-to-size ratio | Final delivery to YouTube, Vimeo, clients |
| CBR | Fixed bitrate throughout — predictable file size | Broadcast delivery, hardware streaming encoders |
| CRF (Constant Rate Factor) | Quality-based encoding — bitrate varies to maintain consistent visual quality | Archival, ProRes alternative in H.264 |
H.264 vs H.265 — which to export
- H.264 (AVC): safest choice. Universally compatible — all platforms, all players, all editing software. Standard for most delivery workflows.
- H.265 (HEVC): roughly half the file size at equivalent quality. Not all platforms accept it reliably. Requires hardware support for smooth playback. Good for archiving and client delivery where compatibility is confirmed.
- VP9: YouTube's preferred codec for their internal pipeline. Uploading in VP9 can improve quality retention after YouTube's re-encode. Slower to encode than H.264.
- AV1: most efficient compression available. Very slow to encode without hardware acceleration. Growing platform support but not universal.
Related tools and guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What bitrate should I use for YouTube 4K?
YouTube recommends 35–45 Mbps for 4K at 24/25/30fps using H.264, or 53–68 Mbps for 4K at 48/50/60fps. For H.265, use 13–18 Mbps for standard frame rates. YouTube re-encodes all uploads, so uploading at a higher bitrate than the minimum gives their encoder more to work with.
What bitrate should I export for TikTok?
Export at 8–15 Mbps for 1080p to give TikTok's encoder enough data. TikTok re-encodes all uploads. Maximum resolution is 1080p. Use MP4, H.264, 9:16 aspect ratio, and keep the file under 4GB.
What is the difference between bitrate and file size?
Bitrate is data per second (Mbps). File size is total data for the whole clip (MB or GB). Formula: File size (GB) = Bitrate (Mbps) × Duration (seconds) ÷ 8 ÷ 1000. Use the video file size calculator above to estimate storage from any bitrate.
Should I use H.264 or H.265 for export?
H.264 for maximum compatibility — all platforms, all players, all editors support it. H.265 produces smaller files at equivalent quality but is not accepted by all platforms and requires hardware support for smooth playback. For most delivery workflows, H.264 is the safe choice.
What does VBR vs CBR mean in video export?
VBR (Variable Bit Rate) allocates more data to complex scenes for better quality at smaller files. CBR (Constant Bit Rate) maintains a fixed data rate for predictable file sizes. For delivery to YouTube and Vimeo, VBR 2-pass is recommended. CBR is sometimes required for broadcast or hardware streaming encoders.