YouTube recommends specific encoder settings for live streaming. Using the correct configuration prevents buffering, quality drops, and stream interruptions.
Recommended Settings
| Resolution | Frame Rate | Video Bitrate (CBR) | Audio Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 480p | 30 fps | 1,000 - 2,000 kbps | 128 kbps |
| 720p | 30 fps | 2,500 - 4,000 kbps | 128 kbps |
| 720p | 60 fps | 3,500 - 5,000 kbps | 128 kbps |
| 1080p | 30 fps | 4,500 - 6,000 kbps | 128 kbps |
| 1080p | 60 fps | 6,000 - 9,000 kbps | 128 kbps |
| 1440p | 30 fps | 9,000 - 13,000 kbps | 256 kbps |
| 1440p | 60 fps | 13,000 - 20,000 kbps | 256 kbps |
| 4K | 30 fps | 20,000 - 30,000 kbps | 256 kbps |
| 4K | 60 fps | 30,000 - 51,000 kbps | 256 kbps |
CBR vs VBR
Use CBR (Constant Bit Rate). YouTube requires CBR for live streaming. VBR causes quality fluctuations and buffering.
CBR maintains a consistent data rate, which YouTube's ingest servers expect. VBR is fine for recorded uploads but not for live streams.
OBS Settings for YouTube Live
-
Output > Streaming
- Encoder: x264 (CPU) or NVENC (NVIDIA GPU)
- Rate Control: CBR
- Bitrate: See table above
- Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds
- CPU Preset: veryfast (x264) or P5 (NVENC)
-
Video
- Base Resolution: Your monitor resolution
- Output Resolution: Match your stream resolution
- FPS: 30 or 60
-
Audio
- Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
- Bitrate: 128 kbps (stereo)
Streaming from a VPS
When streaming from a VPS:
- Use FFmpeg or headless OBS
- Ensure the VPS has enough upload bandwidth
- Use CBR at the recommended bitrate
- Set the RTMP URL to YouTube's ingest server
FAQ
Should I use CBR or VBR for YouTube Live? CBR. YouTube requires constant bit rate for live streaming.
What bitrate for 1080p 60fps YouTube? 6,000-9,000 kbps video bitrate with CBR.
What encoder should I use? NVENC (NVIDIA GPU) if available. Otherwise x264 (CPU) on veryfast preset.
What is the keyframe interval? Set to 2 seconds. YouTube requires keyframes every 2 seconds for live streams.