Video Bitrate Calculator
Calculate the video bitrate for a target file size or streaming upload. Enter your file size, duration, and audio bitrate to get the exact setting in kbps and Mbps, with container overhead accounted for.
How to calculate video bitrate
- 01Enter your target file size and pick KB, MB or GB.
- 02Enter the duration in seconds, minutes or hours.
- 03Set your audio bitrate - the video and total bitrates update instantly.
Calculator features
A 7% container overhead allowance is included, so hitting the target size is not ruined by the MP4 wrapper.
KB/MB/GB for size, seconds/minutes/hours for duration, kbps and Mbps output - converted correctly every time.
Your audio bitrate is subtracted first, showing exactly how much budget remains for video.
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Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I use for 1080p?+
For upload masters, 8-12 Mbps for 30fps H.264 is typical. Use the calculator to hit a specific size limit instead of a fixed chart.
Why is my file bigger than predicted?+
Variable bitrate encoders can overshoot on complex footage; the calculator assumes average bitrate across the duration.
Does audio bitrate matter much?+
At 128 kbps it is small next to video, but for short clips every kilobit counts - the calculator subtracts it precisely.
Can I use this as a streaming video bitrate calculator?+
Yes for planning a target file size: enter the target size, duration, and audio bitrate; the calculator returns video and total bitrate in kbps and Mbps. Live platform recommendations still depend on codec and resolution.
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