Free Video Bitrate Calculator
Calculate the recommended bitrate for any codec, resolution, and frame rate. Get raw bitrate, compression ratios, and storage estimates.
Supports H.264, H.265/HEVC, AV1, VP9, ProRes, and more. Choose quality tier and chroma subsampling for accurate results.
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9 Codecs Covered
H.264, H.265, AV1, VP9, ProRes 422/4444, DNxHR, and uncompressed. Accurate compression ratios for each.
Storage Estimates
See exactly how much storage your video will use per hour at the selected settings. Plan your drives before you shoot.
Full Control
Adjust quality tier, bit depth, and chroma subsampling for professional and broadcast accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bitrate should I use for 4K video?
For 4K H.265 at high quality, around 50–80 Mbps is recommended. For 4K H.264, 80–120 Mbps. For streaming, YouTube recommends 35–68 Mbps for 4K at 30fps.
What bitrate for 4K 60fps?
60fps has roughly twice the frames of 30fps, so you typically need a higher Mbps for the same visual quality. A common starting point is about 1.5–2× the Mbps you would use at 30fps for the same codec and tier — then adjust for your platform's cap and VBR behavior.
What is the difference between H.264 and H.265?
H.265 (HEVC) offers roughly 50% better compression than H.264 at the same quality. This means smaller file sizes, but requires more processing power to encode and decode.
What is chroma subsampling?
Chroma subsampling reduces color data. 4:2:0 is used for streaming and consumer cameras. 4:2:2 is broadcast standard. 4:4:4 retains all color information for professional grading.
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