Choose live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions

Our Classic live streaming tools are going away soon. You can try the new Live Control Room, which combines our classic desktop streaming tools with new and improved features. Learn more

It's important to make sure that your live stream is high quality. Make sure that you choose a quality that will result in a reliable stream based on your Internet connection. We recommend running a speed test to test your upload bitrate.

If you're streaming in the Live Control Room or via Stream now, you only need to specify your resolution, frame rate and bitrate in your encoder. YouTube will automatically detect the encoder settings that you chose.

If you're using Events, you can choose a variable resolution stream key to gain the benefits of Stream now. You can also specify your desired resolution and frame rate manually.

YouTube will automatically transcode your live stream to create many different output formats so that all of your viewers on many devices and networks can watch!

Make sure that you test before you start your live stream. Tests should include audio and movement in the video similar to what you'll be doing in the stream. During the event, monitor the stream health and review messages.

Note: For 4K/2160, the option to improve for low latency is not available. All streams will be improved for normal latency.

Encoder Live Streaming: Basics on How to Set Up & Use an Encoder

Variable Bitrate with Custom Stream Keys in Live Control Room

You can let your encoder set the resolution by selecting Variable bitrate with custom stream keys. There's also an option to manually select a resolution.

By default, your stream is set to variable bitrate, which means that YouTube will automatically detect your resolution and frame rate. If you want to manually select a resolution, create a custom key and choose 'Turn on manual resolution'.

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)

Stream HDR or use codecs not supported by RTMP by using HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) ingestion protocol on YouTube Live. Learn more.

RTMPS

You can stream to YouTube Live with RTMPS, a secure extension to the popular RTMP streaming video protocol. If you use it, your data will be encrypted all the way into and through Google's servers, so nobody can intercept your communication with the service. Learn more.

4K/2160p @60fps

• Resolution: 3840x2160
• Video bitrate range: 20,000–51,000 Kbps

4k/2160p @30fps

• Resolution: 3840x2160
• Video bitrate range: 13,000–34,000 Kbps

1440p @60fps

• Resolution: 2560x1440
• Video bitrate range: 9,000–18,000 Kbps

1440p @30fps

• Resolution: 2560x1440
• Video bitrate range: 6,000–13,000 Kbps

1080p @60fps

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Video bitrate range: 4,500–9,000 Kbps

1080p

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Video bitrate range: 3,000–6,000 Kbps

720p @60fps

• Resolution: 1280x720
• Video bitrate range: 2,250–6,000 Kbps

720p

• Resolution: 1280x720
• Video bitrate range: 1,500–4,000 Kbps

480p

• Resolution: 854x480
• Video bitrate range: 500–2,000 Kbps

360p

• Resolution: 640x360
• Video bitrate range: 400–1,000 Kbps

240p

• Resolution: 426x240
• Video Bitrate Range: 300–700 Kbps
   

Encoder settings

Protocol:	RTMP Streaming
Video codec:	H.264, 4.1 for up to 1080p 30FPS
	H.264, 4.2 for 1080p 60FPS
	H.264, 5.0 for 1440p 30FPS
	H.264, 5.1 for 1440p 60FPS
	H.264, 5.1 for 2160p 30FPS
	H.264, 5.2 for 2160p 60FPS
Frame rate:	up to 60fps
Key frame frequency:	Recommended 2 seconds Do not exceed 4 seconds
Audio codec:	AAC or MP3
Bitrate encoding:	CBR

 

Recommended advanced settings

Pixel aspect ratio:	Square
Frame types:	Progressive Scan, 2 B-Frames, 1 Reference Frame
Entropy coding:	CABAC
Audio sample rate:	44.1 KHz
Audio bitrate:	128 Kbps stereo

 

HTML5 streaming: Many browsers support HTML5 and either the H.264 video codec or WebM format.

Live events are automatically available on game consoles and mobile devices via the YouTube app and m.youtube.com.

Looking for the 360 live streaming spec? Check here.