Video Bitrate Calculator
Estimate the recommended video bitrate for a resolution, frame rate, codec and quality target, then see the total bitrate with audio, projected file sizes for common durations, and how H.264, H.265, VP9 and AV1 compare.
Input
Output
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| No data yet | |
| Duration | File size |
|---|---|
| No data yet | |
| Codec | Recommended bitrate | Relative efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| No data yet | ||
Guides
The Video Bitrate Calculator estimates the bitrate you should target when encoding a video, based on its resolution, frame rate, codec, and desired quality. It then shows the total bitrate once audio and container overhead are added, projects how large the file will be at common durations, and compares the four major codecs side by side. Everything runs instantly in your browser as you change the settings.
How it works
Bitrate is estimated with the bits-per-pixel (BPP) model, the standard rule of thumb encoders use:
video bitrate (kbps) = width × height × frame rate × BPP × codec factor ÷ 1000
- Resolution and frame rate set how many pixels per second must be encoded. More pixels or more frames means more data.
- Quality picks the bits-per-pixel value (Low 0.04, Medium 0.07, High 0.10, Very High 0.15, calibrated for H.264). Higher BPP spends more bits per pixel for a cleaner image.
- Codec factor reflects compression efficiency relative to H.264. H.265/HEVC and VP9 reach similar quality at roughly half the bitrate; AV1 at roughly a third. The calculator applies these as 1.0, 0.5, 0.5, and 0.35 respectively.
The total bitrate adds your chosen audio bitrate and a 5% container overhead (the muxing cost of MP4/MKV/WebM), then the file-size table converts that total into megabytes and gigabytes for a 1-minute, 10-minute, 1-hour, and 24-hour recording.
How to use it
- Pick a resolution (or choose Custom and enter exact width and height).
- Choose the frame rate — 24 for film, 30 for standard video, 60 for smooth motion, 120 for high-frame-rate footage.
- Select a codec and a quality target.
- Set the audio bitrate (or None for silent video).
The results update immediately: a bitrate breakdown, estimated file sizes, and a codec-comparison table. Each table can be copied or downloaded as CSV.
What units does it use?
Bitrate uses decimal units, exactly as encoders and streaming platforms quote them: 1 kbps = 1000 bits per second and 1 Mbps = 1000 kbps. File sizes are also decimal — 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes and 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes — so the file size follows the standard formula bitrate (Mbps) × seconds ÷ 8. A file manager that reports sizes in binary (1024-based) units will show a slightly smaller number for the same file.
Are these numbers exact?
No — they are planning estimates. Real bitrate depends on scene complexity, motion, encoder settings, and whether you use constant (CBR) or variable (VBR) bitrate. Fast-moving or highly detailed footage needs more; static talking-head video needs less. Use the result as a starting target and adjust after a test encode.
Which codec should I choose?
If compatibility matters most, H.264 plays everywhere. For roughly half the file size at the same quality, choose H.265/HEVC or VP9. AV1 is the most efficient of the four but needs more encoding time and newer hardware to decode smoothly.
All calculations happen locally in your browser — nothing you enter is uploaded.