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For a typical SDR YouTube video, export an MP4 using H.264 and Premiere Pro’s Match Source – Adaptive High Bitrate preset. Keep the sequence’s frame size and frame rate unless you have a delivery reason to change them, and check the output against YouTube’s recommendations before rendering.
Export a sequence from Premiere Pro
- Select the sequence: Click the finished sequence in the Timeline panel.
- Open Export: Choose File > Export > Media. The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+M on Windows or Command+M on macOS.
- Choose the destination and format: Set a local file destination or choose YouTube as the destination, then specify a file name and location. For a typical SDR upload, choose H.264.
- Choose a starting preset: Select Match Source – Adaptive High Bitrate. Adobe recommends this as a quick, high-quality starting point for online exports; it retains most source settings and adjusts bitrate based on frame size.
- Check the output: Inspect the preview and properties, especially frame size and frame rate. Confirm the aspect ratio matches the video you intend to publish.
- Render or queue: Choose Export to render in Premiere Pro, or Send to Media Encoder to queue the job and continue working.
Premiere Pro also offers Quick Export from the icon in the upper-right corner: name the file, select a preset, and export. Its social publishing workflow can be enabled in the Publish section, where you can enter relevant post details. Exporting a local file first is useful when you want to inspect and reuse the finished file before publishing.
Which export settings should you use?
Use H.264 for a typical SDR upload
YouTube’s recommended upload encoding settings call for an MP4 container and H.264 video. Use progressive scan, High Profile, variable bitrate, and 4:2:0 chroma. Set SDR color to BT.709. Adobe’s adaptive Match Source preset is a practical first choice; use manual settings when you need more control over the frame size, frame rate, or bitrate.
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Keep the sequence’s frame rate and dimensions when possible
YouTube recommends uploading at the frame rate at which the video was recorded. Premiere’s Match Source preset helps retain source properties. If you change frame rate, the conversion can introduce motion artifacts, so do so only when the delivery calls for it. Use the intended frame size as well; do not upscale simply to select a larger number.
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For SDR video, YouTube’s recommended bitrates vary by resolution and frame-rate class:
| Resolution | Standard frame rate (24/25/30 fps) | High frame rate (48/50/60 fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
| 1440p | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps |
| 2160p / 4K | 35–45 Mbps | 53–68 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s recommendations, not a requirement to raise every export’s bitrate. Compare them with the adaptive preset’s output when file size, upload time, or image quality warrants a manual adjustment.
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Set audio for YouTube
YouTube supports AAC-LC audio and specifies a 48 kHz sample rate in its upload recommendations. For stereo, its listed recommended audio bitrate is 384 kbps.
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Preserve the intended aspect ratio
16:9 is the standard computer-player aspect ratio, but YouTube’s player adapts to vertical and square videos. Keep a vertical or square sequence in its intended shape rather than forcing it into a 16:9 frame.
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When to adjust the preset manually
Adaptive Match Source is the quickest route when the source and sequence settings are suitable. Consider manual output settings when you need a specific frame size or frame rate, or when you want to compare the bitrate with YouTube’s recommendation for the video’s resolution and frame-rate class. Changing these values involves trade-offs: higher bitrate can increase file size and upload time, while frame-rate conversion can affect motion.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Exporting 4K video
For 4K delivery, use an appropriate frame size such as 2160p or 3840×2160 when the sequence and source support it. YouTube’s SDR bitrate recommendations for 2160p are 35–45 Mbps at 24/25/30 fps and 53–68 Mbps at 48/50/60 fps. Larger media files require adequate storage. External SSD storage and proxy editing can help with a 4K workflow, but neither is required just to export.
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HDR is a separate export workflow
Do not treat the SDR H.264 recommendation as a complete HDR recipe. Adobe says Premiere Pro exports SDR by default in its YouTube HDR guidance. YouTube HDR delivery requires correct metadata, including a PQ or HLG transfer function, Rec. 2020 primaries and matrix, and suitable bit depth and codec support.
For the Premiere Pro on Mac workflow documented by Adobe, the identified preset is HEVC – Match Source – PQ. HDR processing and playback can take longer; Adobe suggests checking a short test export.
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