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Video Bitrate Calculator
Find the right Mbps for your resolution and framerate. Estimate file size before you export.
100% browser-based — no uploads, no tracking. Your settings stay on your device.
Settings
Results
Recommended bitrate
8.00 Mbps
8000 kbpsEstimated file size
60.00 MB
for 60s of videoGood for
YouTube 1080p, Vimeo HD, Instagram Reels
YouTube reference
720p 30fps5 Mbps
1080p 30fps8 Mbps
1080p 60fps12 Mbps
1440p 30fps16 Mbps
4K 30fps35-45 Mbps
4K 60fps53-68 Mbps
How to use
- 1.Pick a resolution preset or enter dimensions
- 2.Choose your target framerate
- 3.Select a quality preset for your platform
- 4.Enter duration to see estimated file size
Formula
File size (MB) = bitrate (Mbps) × duration (s) ÷ 8
Audio adds roughly 0.1-0.3 Mbps depending on AAC/Opus settings. Variable bitrate (VBR) encodes may deviate by ±15% from the calculated average.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bitrate should I use for 1080p video?+
For 1080p at 30fps, YouTube recommends 8 Mbps for standard quality and 12 Mbps for high quality. At 60fps, raise these to 12 Mbps and 18 Mbps respectively. For screen recordings of mostly static content, you can drop slightly below these numbers without visible artifacts.
What bitrate is best for 4K video?+
4K at 30fps is typically encoded at 35-45 Mbps for SDR and 44-56 Mbps for HDR. At 60fps these climb to 53-68 Mbps SDR and 66-85 Mbps HDR. Editing masters can go far higher (200+ Mbps with ProRes or DNxHR).
How is video file size calculated?+
File size in megabytes equals bitrate (Mbps) multiplied by duration in seconds divided by 8 (because there are 8 bits in a byte). A 10-minute 1080p video at 8 Mbps comes out to about 600 MB.
Does higher bitrate always mean better quality?+
Up to a point. Beyond a codec's saturation point, extra bitrate stops improving perceived quality and just bloats the file. Modern codecs like H.265, AV1, and VP9 hit that ceiling at much lower bitrates than H.264.
What bitrate do I need for Twitch streaming?+
Twitch caps non-partnered streams at around 6 Mbps. 1080p60 at 6 Mbps is achievable with x264 medium preset, but 720p60 at the same bitrate looks cleaner. Partners can push to 8 Mbps.
Why do screen recordings need higher bitrate?+
Screen recordings have sharp text, thin lines, and high-contrast UI elements that compress poorly. Use 1.5-2x the bitrate of a typical video at the same resolution to keep text readable.
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