Video Bitrate Calculator

Pick a resolution, frame rate, and codec. See the bitrate and estimated file size.

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Results

Video bitrate

6.2 Mbps

6,221 kbps

Total bitrate (+ audio)

6.3 Mbps

Audio: 128 kbps AAC

Estimated file size

47 MB

Settings

1920×1080 · 30 fps · H.264

Built by ShipClip — record, edit, and share screen videos on Mac. Try it free.

What is bitrate?

Bitrate is data per second of video, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bitrate means more data, generally better quality but bigger files. The right number depends on your resolution, frame rate, and codec.

How codec choice affects bitrate

Newer codecs deliver the same visual quality at lower bitrate. The tradeoff is encoding speed: they take longer to compress.

  • H.264 — Plays everywhere. The standard for screen recordings and web video.
  • H.265 / HEVC — ~40% smaller files at the same quality. Great for 4K.
  • VP9 — Google’s codec. Used by YouTube. Similar efficiency to H.265.
  • AV1 — ~50% smaller than H.264. Slow to encode, ideal for streaming.
  • ProRes 422 — Apple’s editing codec. High bitrate, high quality. For editing workflows, not distribution.

Recommended bitrates for screen recordings

Screen recordings have less motion than camera footage, so they compress better. Starting points for H.264:

  • 1080p 30fps — 3–5 Mbps for screen, 6–8 Mbps for camera
  • 1080p 60fps — 5–8 Mbps for screen, 8–12 Mbps for camera
  • 4K 30fps — 12–18 Mbps for screen, 20–30 Mbps for camera

How file size is calculated

File size = (bitrate × duration) / 8. This calculator adds 128 kbps for stereo AAC audio. Actual file size varies slightly due to codec overhead and variable bitrate encoding.

Skip the math

ShipClip records your screen at native resolution and picks the right H.264 bitrate automatically. No manual configuration. Just record, edit in the timeline, and share. You get a link with viewer analytics so you know who watched and where they stopped.

5 MB download. Try it free.