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YouTube live encoder settings generator

Pick your resolution and frame rate to get the exact OBS or encoder settings for YouTube Live — bitrate, keyframe interval, preset, profile and audio. Copy any value, or the whole block.

Resolution
Frame rate
Encoder
x264 (software) or NVENC H.264
Rate control
CBR
Bitrate
7,500 kbps
Keyframe interval
2 s
CPU usage preset
veryfast
Profile
high
B-frames
2
Output resolution
1920 × 1080
Frame rate
60 fps
Audio codec
AAC
Audio bitrate
160 kbps
Audio sample rate
48 kHz
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What each setting means

Rate control: CBR

Constant bitrate keeps a steady data rate that YouTube ingests reliably. Always use CBR for live.

Keyframe interval: 2s

YouTube requires a keyframe every 2 seconds. Anything higher can cause buffering or a rejected stream.

CPU preset: veryfast

For x264 software encoding, 'veryfast' keeps up with a live stream on most machines. NVENC users can leave it on quality/performance default.

Profile: high

The 'high' H.264 profile gives better compression at the same bitrate and is fully supported by YouTube.

Bitrate

Matched to your resolution and frame rate. Higher is sharper but needs more upload speed — size it with our bitrate calculator.

Audio: 160 kbps, 48 kHz

AAC at 128–160 kbps is plenty for a stream. 48 kHz is YouTube's preferred sample rate.

Not sure what bitrate to enter? Use the bitrate calculator, and see the full YouTube encoder settings guide.

Encoder settings FAQ

What are the best OBS settings for YouTube Live?

Use rate control CBR, a keyframe interval of 2 seconds, the x264 'veryfast' CPU preset, profile 'high', and a bitrate matched to your resolution (about 4,500–9,000 kbps for 1080p). Set audio to 128–160 kbps at 48 kHz. Generate the exact block for your resolution and frame rate above.

What bitrate should I use for 1080p 60fps on YouTube?

For 1080p at 60fps, YouTube recommends roughly 4,500–9,000 kbps. 6,000 kbps is a safe, high-quality starting point; go higher if your upload speed is comfortably above it.

What keyframe interval should I use for streaming?

Set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. Every major platform (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook) requires a keyframe at least every 2–4 seconds, and 2 seconds is the safe, universal choice.

Should I use 160 or 320 audio bitrate in OBS?

For live streaming, 128–160 kbps AAC is plenty and keeps your total bitrate down. 320 kbps is overkill for a stream and just eats upload headroom. Use 160 kbps if you want a little extra music quality.

Should I use H.264 or H.265 for YouTube?

Use H.264 for live streaming — it is universally accepted and low-latency. H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 save bandwidth but are mainly for uploads and are not needed for a reliable live stream.

Do I need OBS at all with StreamZop?

No. StreamZop applies the right encoder settings for you and streams your uploaded video 24/7 from the cloud, so you do not need OBS or a PC running at all. These settings are for anyone still encoding on their own machine.

LIVE 24/7STREAMZOP

Put your video live 24/7, without a PC.

Upload once, paste your stream key, and StreamZop keeps it live around the clock with automatic restarts.

  • No PC or OBS
  • Live in ~2 minutes
  • Auto-restart 24/7
  • Free plan, no card
Stream 24/7 free7-DAY MONEY-BACK · CANCEL ANYTIME