For a continuous YouTube stream from a prerecorded file, start with YouTube’s recommended settings for your chosen resolution and frame rate, pace the file in real time with -re, and use FFmpeg’s RTMP FIFO recovery options for temporary output failures. For ordinary SDR 1080p30 H.264, a practical starting point is 14 Mbps video, AAC stereo at 128 kbps and 44.1 kHz, and a two-second keyframe interval. These are starting settings—not a universal preset: source format, encoder capacity, upload bandwidth, and stream duration all matter.
Recommended FFmpeg settings for 1080p30
This illustrative command sends a prerecorded MP4 to the ingest address and stream key supplied by YouTube Live Control Room:
ffmpeg -re -i input.mp4
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -b:v 14M -maxrate 14M -bufsize 28M
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2
-f flv "rtmps://YOUTUBE_INGEST_URL/YOUR_STREAM_KEY"Replace the example input, ingest URL, and key with your own. Treat the stream key as a password: do not publish it, commit it to a shared repository, or include it in screenshots. The 28M buffer is an example value, not a YouTube requirement. This command is not a tested guarantee that a particular computer can encode in real time; confirm that your FFmpeg build supports the selected protocol and encoder.
What the options do
-rereads a file at its native rate instead of sending it as fast as FFmpeg can process it. Use it for file playback; omit it for a real-time capture device.-c:v libx264selects x264 H.264 encoding.-preset veryfasttrades compression efficiency for encoding speed; choose a preset your machine can sustain at the target resolution and frame rate.-b:v 14M -maxrate 14Mset target and maximum video rates in this example. YouTube specifies constant bitrate (CBR), but rate-control behavior depends on the encoder and its options. Check the selected encoder’s documentation and verify the output rather than assuming these flags alone guarantee strict CBR.-g 60 -keyint_min 60express a 60-frame GOP for a fixed 30 fps source—two seconds.-sc_threshold 0disables scene-cut keyframes in x264 so they do not change the intended interval. Confirm actual keyframe timing with your encoder.-pix_fmt yuv420pselects a commonly used progressive SDR pixel format. YouTube’s advanced guidance also recommends square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, and Rec. 709 for SDR.-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2encodes AAC stereo at YouTube’s recommended 128 kbps and 44.1 kHz for stereo.-f flvselects the FLV output format used for RTMP/RTMPS ingest.
Choose bitrate and GOP for the actual output
Do not carry the 1080p30 example bitrate into a different resolution, frame rate, or ingest codec. YouTube’s current encoder-settings page lists the following H.264 recommendations; it also provides minimum rates and recommendations for other formats, so consult its table when your configuration is not shown here.
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| H.264 output | YouTube recommended video bitrate | Two-second GOP example |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p30 | 14 Mbps | 60 frames |
| 1080p60 | 17 Mbps | 120 frames |
| 720p30 | 8 Mbps | 60 frames |
| 720p60 | 8 Mbps | 120 frames |
The GOP examples are calculated as frame rate multiplied by two. YouTube recommends a keyframe frequency of two seconds and says not to exceed four seconds. Match the output frame rate, not merely the source file’s label, and check that the encoder actually produces the intended interval.
YouTube lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 for RTMP/RTMPS ingestion, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps, and recommends RTMPS. H.264 is used in the example for a broadly compatible workflow. Choose another codec only when your FFmpeg build, YouTube’s current ingest guidance, and your playback requirements support it. HDR and some alternate-codec workflows may call for HLS; HLS sends segments and has higher latency.
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YouTube lists AAC or MP3 audio. AAC is required for 5.1 audio over RTMP/RTMPS. Its guidance recommends 44.1 kHz stereo or 48 kHz for 5.1, with 128 kbps stereo or 384 kbps 5.1. See YouTube’s encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions for the full current table and picture recommendations.
Prepare FFmpeg for continuous operation
Use recovery for temporary RTMP output failures
FFmpeg’s RTMP FIFO muxer can attempt to recover after temporary output failures. For example, add the FIFO muxer and its recovery options to the output path:
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-f fifo -fifo_format flv -attempt_recovery 1 -recovery_wait_time 1 "rtmps://YOUTUBE_INGEST_URL/YOUR_STREAM_KEY"This is an attempt to recover from certain output failures, not a guarantee against an internet outage, unreadable input, process crash, invalid credentials, or a YouTube-side interruption. Validate the exact options against your installed FFmpeg version and use process supervision, logs, and alerts for unattended operation. FFmpeg documents the FIFO recovery example in its full documentation.
Plan upload capacity and test the whole chain
- Keep the total outgoing stream bitrate within sustained upload capacity. YouTube recommends leaving 20% headroom; shared connections can reduce what is available to the encoder.
- Measure upload performance rather than inferring it from advertised download speed. A wired connection may help consistency where available, but cannot add upstream capacity to a limited internet plan.
- Run a realistic test with similar motion and audio before relying on the stream. Watch YouTube’s stream-health indicators and messages while it runs.
- Use logs and a supervisor that can restart the FFmpeg process if it exits; an output-recovery option cannot restart a crashed process.
FFmpeg documents -re and command-line options in its command-line documentation. YouTube’s guidance on bandwidth and network reliability is in its streaming tips.
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Account for YouTube’s archive behavior
YouTube’s encoder setup instructions state that streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That statement describes automatic archiving; it does not establish a general maximum live-stream duration. If you need an archive from a longer run, make a separate local recording or confirm YouTube’s current archive behavior and requirements. See YouTube’s encoder setup instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common FFmpeg stream problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| Stream starts too fast or ends quickly | A file is being read faster than real time. | Use -re before the file input. Do not add it to a real-time capture input. |
| Encoding lag or dropped frames | The encoder cannot sustain the selected resolution, frame rate, or preset. | Test the same content and settings; choose a faster preset or a suitable hardware encoder, then verify output quality and keyframe behavior. |
| YouTube reports unstable or insufficient bitrate | Outgoing bitrate exceeds available upload capacity, or the connection varies. | Measure sustained upload capacity, leave YouTube’s recommended 20% headroom, and reduce output bitrate or resolution if needed. |
| Output disconnects and does not return | The failure may be outside the RTMP FIFO recovery cases, or FFmpeg may have exited. | Check FFmpeg logs, network access, ingest address, and stream key. Use process supervision for a stopped process; FIFO recovery is not a universal restart mechanism. |
| Picture or audio is rejected or incorrect | Pixel format, frame rate, codec, audio settings, or encoder behavior may not match the intended ingest setup. | Compare the actual output with YouTube’s current recommendations, including codec, bitrate, keyframes, audio sample rate, and channel count. |
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