The Best Resolution For YouTube: A Complete Guide | OFFEO

Youtube is the second largest search engine and the most popular video platform globally. Every other business knows that you can use YouTube to reach more people. 

But sometimes, it is hard to keep up with Youtube. 

Like the ever-changing algorithm of Instagram, Youtube also has its own set of rules that we must follow. Video quality and size should always be top-notch. 

If you are wondering what the best resolution for Youtube is, we will end your search right now. 1080p has been Youtube’s standard video solution for a while now.

The high resolution means videos take up more of your hard drive and look better. So if you’re planning on uploading videos, here is what you need to know about the best resolution for Youtube.

Why is it important to use recommended Youtube video size?

In the world of digital media, there are a lot of different players in the game. Each platform has its way of doing things, and it’s up to you whether or not you want to adapt to them. 

But following the recommended guidelines is often helpful. It is essential to use recommended Youtube video size because-

• Video quality: Did you know that each video format is processed differently by Youtube? You should use the recommended video format so your viewers can watch high-quality videos when you upload videos. 

• Specific Tailored videos for social media: Every social media platform has a recommended video size and aspect ratio. Following the recommended size for Youtube will help your viewers see the Youtube video correctly. Optimize your videos for Youtube platform viewing. 

• More views and reach: If you want to get more views on your videos, you need to pay attention to the Youtube video resolution. Using the correct Youtube video size can help you maximize views. 

The correct YouTube video size

When you are watching a video on Youtube, you get the option to change the quality of the video. The highest quality can be 4K and 1080p. Choosing the highest resolution gives you the best quality videos. 

There are four aspects to look into while choosing the correct Youtube video size –

• Resolution
• Aspect ratio
• Format
• Video image size

Resolution

Resolution is the video quality and determines how detailed your video will be. A higher resolution means a clearer picture. In other words, it’s the number of pixels contained in an image, expressed as the number across and then down.

 For example, a resolution of 640 x 480 means there are 640 pixels from left to right across the image and 480 pixels from top to bottom. The more pixels there are, the sharper your picture (at least in theory). 

The most common resolutions for Youtube videos are 1280 x 720p and 1920 x 1080p. 

YouTube accepts a wide range of resolutions, from 240p (426 x 240) to 2160p (3840 x 2160), known as 4K resolution.

Aspect ratio

Aspect Ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height. A wide variety of aspect ratios exist, but the most commonly used aspect ratio in Youtube is 16:9. 

This format is standard for HDTVs, and you’ll want to use it if you want your video to play full screen on YouTube. Standard Definition (SD) videos use an aspect ratio of either 4:3 or 3:2, but these formats will produce black bars on widescreen monitors and devices.

Format

The format is where it gets tricky as there are many video formats out there. We suggest using MP4 as it is widely accepted by all devices and browsers worldwide. 

When using audio and video codecs, you must also pay attention as some may be incompatible with some devices or software. 

The most commonly used audio and video codecs are MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Part 2 & VC-1 for Video codecs and AAC, Vorbis & MP3 for audio codecs.

Video image size

Video image size refers to the Youtube video thumbnail and banner size. The most used Youtube banner size is  2560 x 1440p, with an aspect ratio of 16:9, while the recommended thumbnail resolution is 1280 x 720 pixels. 

YouTube Frame Rate

What is Youtube Frame Rate?

The frame rate of a video refers to how many times an image appears onscreen per second. It’s measured in frames per second (fps). A higher frame rate provides a smoother, more detailed picture. A lower frame rate will create a shabbier appearance.

How does it affect video quality?

The quality of the YouTube video depends on the format and the frame rate of the video. It’s important to know that not all videos are suitable for all devices. Suppose you want to get a better quality video. In that case, it’s better to upload high-quality original files only as this will help preserve details and improve compression efficiency when generating your final videos.

What is The Best Frame Rate for YouTube?

The best frame rate for YouTube is 60fps. Frame rates higher than 30fps are best suited to fast action videos of water skiing, skateboarding, trick shots, etc.

YouTube Frame Rate vs. Video Quality

Frame rate determines the quality of your video. It also affects how much data your video consumes because a higher frame rate equates to using more data.

Using a higher frame rate is one way to prevent motion blur in fast-paced scenes where you need to capture as many frames per second as possible.

YouTube video aspect ratio

What is YouTube video Aspect Ratio?

As mentioned before, the Aspect ratio is the ratio between the width and height of an image or screen. It is expressed in width: height format. 

For example, if you have an image that is 800×600 pixels, its aspect ratio will be 4:3 (800/4 = 200 and 600/3 = 200). 

If you have a computer monitor or television that has 1920X1080 pixels, then its aspect ratio will be 16:9 (1920/16 = 120 and 1080/9 = 120).

How does it affect YouTube video quality?

Aspect ratios affect the dimensions of your video on different screens. For example, a portrait video can look fine on a mobile phone but may appear stretched on a computer or tablet screen.

4:3 aspect ratio leaves black spaces in the video and doesn’t cover the full screen. 

What is the best aspect ratio for youtube videos?

The most used aspect ratio for YouTube videos is 16:9. The majority of monitors are 16:9, which means that people are more accustomed to this format than others.

How to Change the YouTube Video Size?

Configuration

You can change how you view a Youtube video. Youtube offers three types of configuration to view the videos – Mini player, Theatre mode, and full screen. 

The mini player will give you a tiny view box at the bottom of the screen. In comparison, the theatre mode will play along with the total breadth of your screen. 

The full-screen option offers you the total experience where the video fills the whole screen. 

Theatre mode option

Quality

To choose the quality of a Youtube video, you need to follow the steps mentioned below. 

• Click on the video you want to watch
• Click the gear icon(Settings) on the right side at the bottom of the video. 

• Choose “Quality”
• Click on the quality at which you want to view the video. You can choose your desired quality like 1080p, 720p, 360p, 240p, etc.

And you are done!

Choose a resolution

The video resolution depends on the quality your internet connection provides. If you have high-quality broadband, you can watch HD(High-definition) videos.

If you have a slow or poor internet connection, you can watch low-quality videos.

YouTube selects the appropriate resolution for your device and internet connection most of the time. However, there are times when you may want to change the size of a YouTube video to suit your needs. 

Youtube Video Size: Best Practices

Keep these tips in mind when selecting your YouTube video resolution:

• Use the highest solution possible, preferably 1080p.

• Use 720p if you are still experimenting or need more storage space.

• Always use the same resolution for all your videos.

• There is no need to use 4K resolution because it takes an age to buffer and watch. By encoding your footage at 1280×720 (720p), the files will be smaller, meaning faster uploading times and quicker buffering.

• If your original video has audio, we strongly recommend that you encode your original video using AAC audio at 128kbps or higher. 

FAQs: Best Resolution for YouTube

What Size Is 1080p video?

1080p, also known as Full HD or FHD (full high definition), is a typical display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It’s one of the most popular resolutions for HDTVs and monitors since it offers excellent pixel density, high definition, and excellent image quality.

What Is the Best Frame Rate For a YouTube Video?

Most people upload 25 or 30 fps videos on YouTube. This frame rate is ideal for capturing most sporting events and fast-action movies; however, it isn’t suitable for high-speed cameras creating slow-motion effects. 

You need to use a higher frame rate such as 60 fps and 100 fps or higher for those high-speed cameras.

What Is the Best Size For a YouTube Video?

The optimal resolution for your YouTube videos is 1920 x 1080 pixels, referred to as Full HD or 1080p.

How Do I Reduce the Size of a Video for YouTube?

The best way to reduce the size of your video file is to change its resolution. Smaller files are easier to upload, stream, and share with others. Several free online tools can help you compress the video. You can use Movie Maker to resize the video and make it smaller.

What Is the Best YouTube Video Format?

The best YouTube video format is MP4 with H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. It is the most compatible video format for YouTube. YouTube requires that the dimensions of your video fit within a frame size of 426 x 240 to 1280 x 760 pixels.

Conclusion: Best Resolution for YouTube

There’s no one-size-fits-all resolution for YouTube, though you should note that 1440p is currently the highest supported resolution on YouTube. 

But if you’re interested in getting the most out of your videos, you’ll want to stick to 1920 x 1080. We hope that this article helped you become more aware of choosing your best resolution for Youtube. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what resolution is best for you.