For YouTube Live, start with constant bitrate (CBR), choose YouTube’s recommended bitrate for your codec, resolution, and frame rate, and set a keyframe every two seconds. YouTube says not to exceed four seconds. In FFmpeg, -g sets the GOP size in frames for encoders that honor that option: use -g 60 at 30 fps or -g 120 at 60 fps for a two-second interval. Test the stream with realistic motion and audio, then check YouTube’s stream-health messages.
What bitrate should I use for YouTube Live?
Bitrate depends on the incoming video codec, resolution, and frame rate. The following are YouTube’s published recommended H.264 video bitrates; they are recommendations, not guaranteed minimums or a promise that your internet connection can sustain them. YouTube’s settings page, checked in 2026, lists separate minimum values—for example, 6 Mbps minimum and 17 Mbps recommended for H.264 at 1080p60. YouTube’s encoder settings has the current tables.
| H.264 video mode | YouTube-recommended video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 2160p (4K), 60 fps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K), 30 fps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p, 60 fps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p, 30 fps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p, 60 fps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p, 30 fps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p, 60 fps or 30 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p, 30 fps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p, 30 fps | 4 Mbps |
Codec choice changes the target. YouTube lists 12 Mbps for AV1 or H.265 at 1080p60 and 10 Mbps for AV1 or H.265 at 1080p30, compared with 17 Mbps and 14 Mbps respectively for H.264. Its current guidance also lists H.265 and AV1 ingestion; it recommends H.265 for HDR and says AV1 is not supported for HDR. Check the applicable codec table rather than copying an H.264 number into another format.
The bitrate setting is for video. For a typical stereo stream, YouTube recommends AAC audio at 128 kbps and 44.1 kHz. Its advanced settings recommend Rec. 709, 8-bit color for SDR.
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How do I set keyframes in FFmpeg?
A keyframe interval is often expressed as a number of video frames in FFmpeg. To target YouTube’s recommended two-second interval, multiply the frame rate by two: 30 fps × 2 = 60 frames; 60 fps × 2 = 120 frames. YouTube’s encoder guidance says, “Keyframe frequency: Recommended 2 seconds Do not exceed 4 seconds.” At 30 fps, four seconds is 120 frames; at 60 fps, it is 240 frames.
For encoders that honor FFmpeg’s standard GOP option, -g sets the GOP size in frames. Encoder behavior and supported options vary, so confirm the exact behavior for your encoder and installed FFmpeg build. With x264, -keyint_min sets a minimum keyframe interval and -sc_threshold 0 disables scene-cut-driven keyframe placement in the example below; these settings aim for a regular interval rather than guaranteeing identical behavior across every build and input.
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Example FFmpeg command for H.264 at 1080p30
This illustrative command targets YouTube’s recommended H.264 video bitrate for 1080p30, a two-second GOP, and typical stereo AAC audio. It has not been run or tested; your input, FFmpeg build, encoder availability, hardware, and YouTube ingest endpoint may require changes.
ffmpeg -re -i INPUT
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -tune zerolatency
-b:v 14M -minrate 14M -maxrate 14M -bufsize 28M
-g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0
-pix_fmt yuv420p
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv "rtmps://INGEST_URL/STREAM_KEY"- Replace
INPUTwith the path to your source file or other FFmpeg input. - Replace
INGEST_URLandSTREAM_KEYwith the server address and key shown in YouTube Live Control Room for your stream. Treat the key like a password: do not publish it or include it in a shared command log. - Check that the installed FFmpeg build includes the encoder and options you intend to use with
ffmpeg -h encoder=libx264. If you are using a different encoder, consult its local help because rate-control and GOP controls differ. - Use YouTube’s RTMPS ingest address where supported. Start with a private or otherwise appropriate test stream before broadcasting publicly.
The example’s -re reads file input at its native rate rather than sending it as fast as possible. It is not a universal requirement for live sources. For 60 fps, change the two-second GOP to -g 120 and -keyint_min 120, and select the video bitrate for the actual codec, resolution, and frame rate. Do not carry over the 1080p30 bitrate to a different mode without checking YouTube’s table.
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Which protocol, codec, and rate control should I use?
- Protocol: Use RTMPS for a straightforward ingest where supported; YouTube recommends it in its encoder guidance. The API also identifies RTMP (including RTMPS), HLS, and DASH ingest types. Use the address and stream name or key YouTube provides for the ingest method you selected.
- Video codec: H.264 is a straightforward choice for the SDR example here. YouTube’s current guidance also lists H.265 and AV1, but compatible settings and recommended bitrates vary by codec.
- Rate control: YouTube specifies CBR. The x264 example pins target, minimum, and maximum rates to the same value as a starting point; controls and exact behavior vary with the encoder.
- Audio: YouTube lists AAC or MP3. For typical stereo audio, use AAC at 128 kbps and 44.1 kHz as recommended. 5.1 audio over RTMP/RTMPS is supported only with AAC.
- SDR color: YouTube’s recommended advanced setting is Rec. 709, 8-bit. Ensure your source and encoding settings are consistent with the format you intend to send.
How to test and read YouTube stream health
- Before the event, send a test stream with movement and audio similar to the real broadcast. YouTube Help advises: “Make sure to 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.”
- Check YouTube Live Control Room’s stream-health messages while the test is running. YouTube’s Live Streaming API documents health diagnostics for bitrate, GOP/keyframe cadence, open GOP, missing audio or video, unsupported video codecs, and mismatched primary and backup stream properties.
- Compare the actual upload connection with the chosen stream bitrate. YouTube recommends using a speed test and choosing quality that the available connection can reliably sustain. If it cannot, reduce resolution, frame rate, or bitrate instead of assuming a higher target will improve the delivered picture.
For example, YouTube’s API describes gopSizeLong and gopSizeOver for GOP/keyframe timing issues, openGop for an unsupported open GOP, and bitrateLow for low bitrate. Other alerts cover high bitrate, absent audio or video, codec problems, and backup-stream property mismatches. See the YouTube Live Streaming API health documentation for the diagnostic names and meanings.
Troubleshooting common FFmpeg and ingest problems
- Keyframe interval is reported as too long: Recalculate the GOP from the actual frame rate—two seconds means 60 frames at 30 fps or 120 at 60 fps. Check whether your selected encoder honors
-gand its keyframe controls; YouTube’s maximum recommended interval is four seconds. - YouTube reports an open GOP: The health diagnostics identify open GOP separately from a long interval. Check the selected encoder’s GOP options and local help; do not assume that setting
-galone closes the GOP. - Bitrate is low, high, or unstable: Confirm the encoder’s rate-control settings and the actual upload capacity. If the connection is unreliable at the chosen mode, lower the resolution, frame rate, or bitrate and retest.
- Audio is missing or not accepted: Check that the FFmpeg command maps an audio stream from the input and that the output codec and sample rate are supported. For the typical stereo setup here, use AAC at 128 kbps and 44.1 kHz.
- Video codec is unsupported: Confirm the output codec matches the ingest guidance and the selected YouTube endpoint. If using a non-H.264 codec, verify its compatibility and bitrate target in YouTube’s current settings.
- Backup stream properties do not match: If using a primary and backup stream, check YouTube’s health warning and align the relevant stream properties rather than changing only the primary command.
- FFmpeg rejects an option or encoder: The installed build may not include that encoder or may expose different controls. Check
ffmpeg -h encoder=libx264for x264, or the corresponding encoder name for your implementation.
A wired Ethernet connection can help troubleshoot a compatible streaming computer’s network path, but it is not an FFmpeg or YouTube setting and does not replace a capacity check.
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