YouTube re-encodes everything you upload. But uploading in the right format means better quality after re-encoding.
Recommended Settings
Container: MP4. Codec: H.264 or AV1 (AV1 gets priority in recommendations). Resolution: 1080p minimum, 4K preferred. Frame rate: Match your source (24/30/60fps). Bitrate: 8 Mbps (1080p30), 12 Mbps (1080p60), 35-45 Mbps (4K). Audio: AAC-LC, 384 kbps, stereo.
Upload Quality Trick
YouTube initially processes uploads in low quality (360p/480p) and takes hours to finish 1080p/4K processing. Upload during off-peak hours so HD processing completes before peak viewing.
Need to compress before uploading? Our compressor preserves quality while reducing file size for faster uploads.