# What is video bitrate? > Video bitrate is how much data one second of video uses. See YouTube's Mbps table, a file-size formula with a worked example and what Meta asks for. - **Author**: Marxx - **Published**: 2026-11-09 - **Category**: Video editing - **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/video-bitrate --- Video bitrate is how much data one second of video uses, in megabits per second (Mbps). A higher bitrate usually means better quality and a bigger file. ## The formula File size (MB) = bitrate (Mbps) x seconds / 8 The 8 turns megabits into megabytes, because 8 bits make 1 byte. ## A worked example Say your 1080p ad runs 30 seconds at 30 frames per second. You use YouTube's recommended 8 Mbps. 8 x 30 = 240 megabits. 240 / 8 = **30 MB** of video. Stereo audio at 384 kbps adds 0.384 x 30 / 8 = about **1.4 MB**. The file is about 31.4 MB. ## What YouTube recommends [YouTube's upload settings](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1722171) give video bitrate by size and frame rate, for standard-range uploads (checked 3 Nov 2026). | Resolution | 24, 25, 30 fps | 48, 50, 60 fps | |---|---|---| | 2160p (4K) | 35 to 45 Mbps | 53 to 68 Mbps | | 1440p | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps | | 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps | | 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps | Meta's ad spec pages give no video bitrate. They ask only for stereo AAC audio at 128 kbps or more. LinkedIn lists no bitrate for ads. Use the 1080p row as a starting point. ## Fixed or variable Adobe describes constant bitrate (CBR) as one fixed rate that can lower quality on busy frames. Variable bitrate (VBR) follows how complex the video is, giving higher quality at smaller sizes. VBR can export more slowly. Marxx's [AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) exports MP4 (H.264) or WebM at four quality levels, with presets for Meta ads and the smallest file. We make Marxx. See also [frame rate](/glossary/frame-rate), [H.264](/glossary/h264) and [video resolution](/glossary/video-resolution). ## FAQ ### Does a higher bitrate always look better? No. Past a point the file only gets bigger. Match the bitrate to the resolution and frame rate, as in the table. ### What bitrate should I use for Instagram Reels? Meta gives none. Start from the 1080p row above and keep audio at 128 kbps or more. ### Is Mbps the same as MB per second? No. Mbps counts megabits. Divide by 8 to get megabytes. --- - [More Video editing articles](https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/category/video-editing) - [All articles](https://marxx.ai/library-glossary)