For a typical SDR YouTube stream, start with H.264, CBR, a 2-second keyframe interval, Rec. 709 at 8-bit, and AAC stereo audio at 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps. Set the video bitrate to YouTube’s recommendation for your chosen resolution and frame rate—17 Mbps for 1080p60, 14 Mbps for 1080p30, or 8 Mbps for 720p60 or 720p30. Then check that your upload connection and computer can sustain those settings.
Recommended OBS settings for YouTube Live
These are YouTube platform recommendations, not a tested preset for every OBS version or computer. OBS encoder names and available controls depend on your operating system, GPU, drivers, and OBS version. Choose a hardware or software H.264 encoder your system supports.
| Setting | Recommended starting point |
|---|---|
| Video encoder | H.264, using a supported hardware or software encoder |
| Rate control | CBR |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds; YouTube says not to exceed 4 seconds |
| Resolution and frame rate | Choose to fit the content, upload capacity, and audience; do not assume 1080p60 is always preferable |
| Video bitrate | Use the H.264 recommendation for the selected resolution and frame rate in the table below |
| Audio | AAC stereo, 44.1 kHz, 128 kbps |
| Transport | RTMPS when available |
| SDR color | Rec. 709, 8-bit |
Choose the right video bitrate
The figures below are recommended video ingest bitrates, not total upload rates or guarantees of visual quality. They come from YouTube’s encoder settings guidance, which did not display a publication date when accessed on October 3, 2026. YouTube advises choosing a reliable stream quality for your connection.
| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 minimum | H.264 recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K) at 60 fps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) at 30 fps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
Apply the row for your actual output resolution and frame rate. For example, 1080p60 uses a different recommendation from 1080p30. If your connection or encoder cannot sustain the target, reduce resolution, frame rate, or bitrate rather than accepting an unstable stream.
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Set up the encoder in OBS
OBS labels and available choices vary by system and version. Use the equivalent controls available in your installation; do not select a codec or encoder your hardware and workflow do not support.
- Choose a video encoder. In OBS, open Settings and then Output. In the streaming output settings, select a supported H.264 encoder. Hardware and software options vary by operating system, graphics hardware, and drivers.
- Set rate control and bitrate. Select CBR and enter the recommended bitrate for your output resolution and frame rate. The bitrate is for video; allow additional capacity for audio and other network use.
- Set the keyframe interval. Enter 2 seconds. YouTube recommends a 2-second frequency and says not to exceed 4 seconds.
- Set output resolution and frame rate. Choose a combination your system can encode and your upload link can reliably send. Match the bitrate to that combination using YouTube’s table.
- Set audio. Use AAC stereo at 44.1 kHz and 128 kbps for an ordinary stream. YouTube’s encoder guidance lists AAC or MP3 at these settings for stereo.
- Choose the stream transport and connect YouTube. Use RTMPS if available. In YouTube Live Control Room, arrange the stream and obtain its stream key, then enter the key in OBS’s streaming service settings. Treat the key like a password: anyone who obtains it may be able to send a stream to your channel. YouTube’s encoder setup guide covers creating a stream with an encoder.
- Set SDR color correctly. For an SDR stream, use Rec. 709 and 8-bit color where those controls are exposed in OBS.
Advanced video and audio options
YouTube’s encoder guidance also specifies square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, and CABAC entropy coding for advanced encoder details. These controls may not be exposed by every OBS encoder. Leave a control at its supported default if your encoder does not offer the specified option.
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HDR is an end-to-end choice
Do not treat HDR as a single OBS checkbox. YouTube recommends HEVC and 10-bit depth for HDR and says AV1 is not supported for HDR. Use HDR only if the source, encoder, hardware, OBS configuration, and delivery workflow all support it. Otherwise, use the SDR Rec. 709, 8-bit starting point.
Codec changes the bitrate row
YouTube accepts H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 video at up to 60 fps. H.264 is a straightforward baseline for a typical SDR setup. If you choose AV1 or H.265, use that codec’s own bitrate recommendations rather than applying H.264 figures. For example, YouTube’s recommended AV1/H.265 rates are 12 Mbps at 1080p60, 10 Mbps at 1080p30, and 6 Mbps at 720p60 or 720p30; the corresponding minimums are 4 Mbps, 4 Mbps, 2 Mbps, and 2 Mbps. The codec-specific figures are in YouTube’s encoder settings table.
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Make sure your connection can carry the stream
Your internet connection must sustain the total stream bitrate, not just the video bitrate. YouTube recommends leaving 20% headroom and accounting for bandwidth used by other people sharing the connection. A speed test is a useful check, but it does not guarantee that the connection will remain stable throughout a live event. See YouTube’s streaming tips.
- Check upload speed before choosing resolution, frame rate, and bitrate.
- Leave at least the recommended 20% headroom above total stream bitrate.
- Account for other devices and people using the same connection.
- Prefer a reliable connection. If delivery is unstable, lower the bitrate, resolution, or frame rate and test again.
Higher resolution and frame rate can carry more detail or smoother motion, but they need more bitrate and encoding capacity. Pick the highest combination your network and computer can sustain reliably, not the maximum simply because it is available. YouTube says 4K/2160p streams use normal latency and cannot use its low-latency optimization.
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Test before the scheduled stream
- Arrange the live stream in advance in YouTube Live Control Room and connect OBS with the intended stream key.
- Run a representative test. Include movement and audio similar to the planned event; a static screen will not reveal the same encoding or motion issues as the real content.
- Start the encoder early. YouTube’s preparation checklist advises starting it at least 15 minutes before the scheduled event.
- Check the Live Control Room preview. Confirm that picture and sound are present and inspect the stream health messages before going live.
- Monitor during the event. Keep checking stream health, audio, and video quality while OBS is sending.
- Verify the viewer-facing stream and local archive. YouTube’s preparation checklist includes checking watch-page availability and local archive files.
YouTube’s advice is direct: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common OBS streaming problems
| Symptom | Likely area to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Dropped frames or unstable stream health | Network upload capacity, congestion, or other users sharing the connection | Check available upload bandwidth, leave 20% headroom, account for other network use, and reduce bitrate or output resolution if needed. |
| Encoder overload or encoding lag | Computer or selected encoder cannot sustain the chosen output | Reduce resolution or frame rate and retest. If available, try a supported hardware encoder; choices depend on the system. |
| Stream disconnects | Connection reliability or stream setup | Check the connection, confirm OBS is using the intended YouTube stream key and RTMPS where available, then run another preflight test. |
| Picture looks poor despite using the recommended bitrate | Resolution, motion, codec, or encoder capacity may not suit the content | Confirm that the bitrate row matches the chosen codec, resolution, and frame rate. If the computer cannot encode reliably, use a lower output combination and test representative motion. |
| Preview has no audio or video | OBS output, stream key, or source configuration | Check the Live Control Room preview, confirm OBS is connected to the intended stream, and verify that the relevant audio and video sources are active before the event. |
Copyright and channel-policy checks
Encoding settings affect delivery quality; they do not give you rights to broadcast the material. Before streaming, make sure you have the necessary rights to the video, music, and other included material, and review YouTube’s current live-streaming and channel policies. A technically healthy stream can still face claims, restrictions, or removal if its content violates applicable rights or rules.
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