Set your output
Choose the resolution and frame rate you are exporting or streaming at.
Pick a codec & motion
Newer codecs and calmer footage (like screencasts) need less bitrate.
Read the estimate
Use the result as a starting point, then test the output and check your destination’s current requirements.
How to choose the right video bitrate
Bitrate is the amount of data your video uses per second of footage, measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or kilobits per second (kbps). It is the single biggest lever on the trade-off between visual quality and file size. Too low and you get blocky, smeary compression artifacts; too high and you waste storage and upload time for no visible gain.
The right number depends on how many pixels you are encoding, how many frames arrive each second, how efficiently the codec packs them, and how much the image changes. This calculator combines those inputs with a bits-per-pixel model. Treat the result as a starting estimate rather than a promise of quality or platform acceptance.
Resolution and frame rate
Doubling resolution roughly quadruples the pixels, and doubling frame rate doubles them again — both demand proportionally more bitrate. A 1080p60 clip needs noticeably more than 1080p30, and 4K needs far more than 1080p at the same settings.
Codec efficiency
Codec choice matters. H.265 (HEVC), VP9, and AV1 can often reach similar perceived quality at a lower bitrate than H.264, but encoding speed, device support, and playback compatibility differ. Confirm that the destination accepts the codec before choosing it.
Motion and complexity
Calm footage — a slide deck, a code editor, a static product demo — compresses extremely well and can use a lower bitrate. Fast motion, particle effects, or gameplay need more headroom to stay sharp. That is what the Low / Medium / High motion control adjusts.
Uploading and live streaming need a second check
Publishing services maintain their own current codec, bitrate, keyframe, resolution, and dynamic-range guidance. Live services may also impose ingest or account limits. Use this estimate to size the file and choose a starting encoder value, then confirm the destination’s official requirements before the final export or broadcast.
Recording a product walkthrough? ScreenBuddy for Mac and Windows adds auto-zoom, spotlight, lightbox, and local MP4 or GIF export after licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Plan the file, then polish the walkthrough
Use the estimate to plan delivery size, then edit locally in ScreenBuddy with attention effects and licensed MP4 or GIF export.
Mac & Windows. No card. Record, edit, and preview free. A one-time license is required to save or export. Media processing stays on your device. Internet is required for license activation and update checks.