There is no special bitrate for a 24/7 prerecorded YouTube live stream in YouTube’s published encoder guidance. Choose the recommended live-ingest bitrate for the resolution, frame rate, and codec you send to YouTube, then confirm your connection can sustain it. For 1080p at 30 fps, YouTube recommends 14 Mbps with H.264 or 10 Mbps with AV1 or H.265.
Recommended YouTube live bitrates by resolution and frame rate
The figures below are YouTube’s published live-ingest settings in Mbps. “Minimum” is distinct from “recommended”: do not treat a minimum as the target for a stable stream, or a recommendation as a guarantee against interruptions. Use the row matching the actual signal sent to YouTube, not a separate file-export or upload setting. See YouTube’s live encoder settings and its separate upload encoding recommendations.
| Ingest resolution and frame rate | AV1 or H.265 minimum | AV1 or H.265 recommended | H.264 minimum | H.264 recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K), 60 fps | 10 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K), 30 fps | 8 Mbps | 30 Mbps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p, 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 24 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p, 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p, 60 fps | 4 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p, 30 fps | 4 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p, 60 fps | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p, 30 fps | 2 Mbps | 6 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p, 30 fps | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p, 30 fps | 0.3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
How to choose the right bitrate for a continuous stream
Match the bitrate to the signal you actually ingest
First identify the outgoing resolution, frame rate, and codec. Then use the corresponding recommended value in the table. An export’s bitrate is not necessarily the same as the live encoder’s output bitrate, and YouTube’s upload-file recommendations are a different set of guidance.
Make sure upload capacity can sustain it
A 24/7 stream needs upload capacity that remains available over time, not just a favorable result in a single speed test. YouTube recommends testing upload speed, testing before going live with audio and motion similar to the planned broadcast, and monitoring stream health and messages during the stream. Its recommendations do not promise that any particular bitrate or connection will prevent outages.
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Use the encoder settings YouTube specifies
- Protocol: YouTube lists RTMP and RTMPS for ingestion and recommends RTMPS for encrypted transport.
- Codec: Supported video codecs listed in the guidance are H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and AV1.
- Frame rate: Up to 60 fps.
- Rate control: Constant bitrate (CBR).
- Keyframes: A 2-second frequency is recommended; do not exceed 4 seconds.
These are YouTube’s published technical settings; check its current encoder guidance when configuring an encoder because platform guidance can change.
Does a prerecorded 24/7 stream need low latency?
Not necessarily. For a broadcast without real-time interaction, YouTube says low latency matters less; choosing lower latency may also mean more playback buffering. Consider whether live interaction is important before choosing a latency mode rather than assuming the lowest setting is best.
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Keeping the stream live: DIY or cloud hosting
Do-it-yourself encoder setup
- Choose a signal: Select the resolution, frame rate, and codec you intend to send, then take the recommended bitrate from the matching table row.
- Configure output: Set CBR, a 2-second keyframe interval (never over 4 seconds), and RTMPS where supported.
- Check the connection: Run an upload speed test and confirm available sustained upload capacity is adequate for the selected bitrate.
- Test the full broadcast: Before going live, test with representative motion and audio. Check YouTube’s stream health and messages while streaming.
- Plan for continuous operation: A local encoder depends on the computer, encoder, power, and network remaining available. Monitor the broadcast and have a recovery plan for interruptions.
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Troubleshooting bitrate and stream health
- Stream health reports instability or viewers buffer: Check whether your upload connection can sustain the chosen bitrate, then test again with representative content. If capacity is inconsistent, use a lower resolution or frame rate and its corresponding recommended bitrate.
- The configured value does not match the YouTube table: Verify the outgoing codec, resolution, and frame rate, then select the matching row. Do not substitute the file-upload bitrate.
- Keyframe or rate-control settings differ: Set CBR and a 2-second keyframe interval, not exceeding 4 seconds.
- Latency is low but playback buffers: For non-interactive prerecorded programming, consider a less aggressive latency choice; YouTube notes lower latency can increase buffering.
Copyright and continuous-stream policy
Bitrate settings do not establish whether a video is cleared for live use or whether a 24/7 broadcast meets YouTube’s other rules. Confirm you have the rights to the video and audio you stream, and review YouTube’s applicable policies before broadcasting. The encoder guidance cited here does not establish a maximum stream duration or a separate policy for 24/7 prerecorded streams.
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