YouTube's help center recommends uploading MP4 files encoded with H.264 High Profile, progressive scan, with the moov atom at the front of the file, at the same frame rate the video was made in. For SDR video at a standard frame rate (24 to 30 fps), it recommends 8 Mbps at 1080p, 16 Mbps at 1440p and 35 to 45 Mbps at 2160p (4K). For AI video the rule that matters most is the frame rate: keep the one your clips came out at rather than converting, and do not export below the recommended bitrate, or YouTube's own compression will erase the detail you paid to generate.
TL;DR
| Setting | YouTube recommendation |
|---|---|
| Container | MP4, moov atom at the front (Fast Start) |
| Codec | H.264, High Profile, progressive scan |
| Frame rate | the rate the video was made in (24, 25, 30, 48, 50 or 60) |
| Bitrate, 1080p | 8 Mbps (12 at 48 to 60 fps) |
| Bitrate, 1440p | 16 Mbps (24 at 48 to 60 fps) |
| Bitrate, 2160p | 35 to 45 Mbps (53 to 68 at 48 to 60 fps) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 is standard on desktop; the player adapts to other shapes |
From YouTube Help, "Recommended upload encoding settings", checked 2026-09-29.
Exporting AI clips for YouTube
Keep the frame rate. Clips from different models may come out at different frame rates. Put the timeline at the rate most of your shots use, and avoid converting between rates, which can introduce judder. YouTube's guidance is to upload at the rate the content was made in.
Export at or above the recommended bitrate. A 1080p edit exported at 3 or 4 Mbps can look fine locally and still lose fine detail when YouTube re-encodes it. 8 Mbps is the floor YouTube recommends for 1080p at 24 to 30 fps.
Upload at the resolution you generated. There is no video upscaler on 8frame, and upscaling in export does not add real detail. If you want a 1440p or 4K upload, the resolution decision happens when you generate; see AI video resolution by model. On 8frame, Hailuo H3 delivers 2K; Veo 3.1, Wan 3.0 and Happy Horse deliver up to 1080p.
Mixed shapes are fine. YouTube's player adapts to the video's shape, so a square or vertical cutaway inside a 16:9 edit is a creative choice, not an upload problem. For Shorts, the whole video must be square or vertical; see YouTube Shorts length and specs.
FAQ
What is the best bitrate for a 1080p YouTube upload? 8 Mbps at 24 to 30 fps and 12 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps, per YouTube's recommended settings.
What codec should I use for YouTube? H.264, High Profile, progressive scan, in an MP4 container with the moov atom at the front.
What frame rate should I upload to YouTube? The one the video was made in. YouTube lists 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 fps as common rates.
What bitrate for a 4K YouTube upload? 35 to 45 Mbps at 24 to 30 fps, and 53 to 68 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps.
Sources
- YouTube Help, "Recommended upload encoding settings": MP4 with the moov atom at the front, H.264 High Profile, progressive scan, frame rates, SDR bitrate table, aspect ratio guidance: support.google.com/youtube/answer/1722171, fetched 2026-09-29
- 8frame output resolutions: the 8frame tool registry, 2026-09-29
Keep the frame rate, keep the bitrate, upload what you generated. The 8frame canvas is free and unlimited, and generation is paid from $19/month.