How much upload speed do I need for a live stream?

Start with the combined video and audio bitrate for every simultaneous outbound stream, then add meaningful headroom rather than planning at the exact line-rate limit.

How much data does a live stream use?

Approximate data use from bitrate multiplied by duration. This planner converts Mbps to decimal GB and can add protocol/data overhead plus rehearsal time.

📡 Free production planning tool

Live Stream Event Planner

Plan the whole event, not just one bitrate. Estimate required upload, network headroom, outbound data, redundant-stream cost and local recording storage before cameras go live.

YouTube H.264 presetsCustom bitrateMulti-camera storageRedundant output planning

Stream output

Choose a current YouTube H.264 preset or set your own bitrate.

Platform / presetResolutionFrame rateVideo bitrate

Mbps

Audio bitrate

kbps

Simultaneous outbound streamsUse 2 when sending a separate redundant output.Upload headroom

Event & network

Include rehearsal and compare the plan with the connection you actually have.

Live event durationhoursRehearsal / test streamhoursProtocol/data overhead

Measured upload available

Mbps

Mobile/data allowanceGB · optional, 0 = ignoreEvent name

Local recording

Budget SSD space for isolated cameras and the program feed.

ISO camera recordingsBitrate / ISO camera

Mbps

Program recordingProgram record bitrate

Mbps

Storage reserve

SSD / storage availableGB decimal · optional

Event plan readyChange any input to recalculate.

Recommended upload—includes headroom

Outbound event data—live + rehearsal

Recording storage—with reserve

Combined stream rate—video + audio × outputs

Bandwidth breakdown

Storage breakdown

Planning model: platform recommendations and real network behavior are not guarantees. Test the actual venue connection, encoder, routing and recording workflow before a production. YouTube may update ingest recommendations over time.

Plan upload headroom, not just encoder bitrate

Your encoder bitrate is the payload you intend to send. A production plan should also account for audio, simultaneous redundant outputs and headroom for a connection that may not deliver its headline speed continuously.

Current YouTube H.264 preset values

This planner’s YouTube preset follows the current YouTube Help recommendations for H.264 ingest: 720p30 4 Mbps, 720p60 6 Mbps, 1080p30 10 Mbps, 1080p60 12 Mbps, 1440p30 15 Mbps, 1440p60 24 Mbps, 2160p30 30 Mbps and 2160p60 35 Mbps. You can switch to Custom at any time.

See the live stream bandwidth and storage planning guide for formulas and worked examples, and verify platform settings in YouTube’s live encoder guidance.