Video Bitrate Calculator
Calculate file size from bitrate, or find the bitrate you need for a target file size. Compare with streaming service standards.
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Streaming Comparison
Calculations assume constant bitrate (CBR). Variable bitrate (VBR) encoding may produce different file sizes depending on content complexity.
Understanding Video Bitrate
Bitrate is the amount of data processed per second of video — it directly determines both quality and file size.
Higher Bitrate = Better Quality
More bits per second means more detail in each frame. This is why 4K Netflix looks sharp at 15 Mbps, while the same content at 3 Mbps would look blurry and blocky.
But there's a point of diminishing returns — beyond a certain bitrate, the human eye can't perceive additional quality improvements. That's where efficient codecs like HEVC shine.
Higher Bitrate = Larger Files
The relationship is linear: double the bitrate, double the file size. A 10-minute video at 8 Mbps produces a 600 MB file. At 16 Mbps, the same video is 1.2 GB.
This is why choosing the right bitrate matters — you want enough quality for your use case without wasting storage on imperceptible detail.
Recommended Bitrates by Resolution
Guidelines for common video use cases
| Resolution | Social Media | Streaming | High Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p | 2-4 Mbps | 4-6 Mbps | 6-8 Mbps |
| 1080p | 4-6 Mbps | 6-10 Mbps | 10-15 Mbps |
| 4K | 15-25 Mbps | 20-35 Mbps | 35-60 Mbps |
These are H.264 bitrates. HEVC achieves the same quality at roughly half the bitrate.
Bitrate Tips
Match Bitrate to Display
A video watched on a phone doesn't need the same bitrate as one on a 65" TV. Lower bitrate is fine for smaller screens.
Consider Bandwidth
If viewers will stream your video, keep bitrate below their typical connection speed. 8 Mbps works for most mobile connections.
Use HEVC for Efficiency
HEVC achieves the same visual quality at half the bitrate of H.264. This means smaller files and less buffering for viewers.
VBR vs CBR
Variable bitrate (VBR) adjusts quality per scene. Static scenes use less data, action scenes use more. It's more efficient than constant bitrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat bitrate does Netflix use for 4K?
Netflix streams 4K content at about 15-16 Mbps using HEVC encoding. For comparison, YouTube uses up to 35 Mbps for 4K with VP9. Netflix achieves comparable quality at lower bitrate thanks to their advanced encoding pipeline.
QWhat bitrate should I use for YouTube uploads?
YouTube recommends 8 Mbps for 1080p and 35-45 Mbps for 4K. However, YouTube re-encodes all uploads, so uploading at higher bitrates gives YouTube more data to work with, resulting in better final quality.
QDoes higher bitrate always mean better quality?
Not always. Beyond a certain point, increasing bitrate yields no visible improvement. The threshold depends on resolution and content — fast action needs more bitrate than a static interview.
QWhat's the difference between Mbps and MBps?
Mbps (megabits per second) measures data rate. MBps (megabytes per second) measures file transfer speed. 1 MBps = 8 Mbps. Video bitrate is typically expressed in Mbps.
QHow does HEVC reduce bitrate needs?
HEVC uses smarter compression algorithms that better predict motion and encode similar regions. It delivers the same perceived quality as H.264 at roughly half the bitrate, cutting file sizes by ~50%.