Bitrate Calculator

Target a quality (codec, resolution and fps) or a fixed final size, and get the video bitrate, the data rate and the minimum card you need.

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Target a quality or a size

Resolution
Frames/s

Average bitrate by codec, resolution and fps. The real rate fluctuates with scene motion.

Recommended bitrate
0Mbps
0Data rate
0Per hour
0Per minute
0Minimum card
Quick presets

How video bitrate is calculated

In by quality mode, the average bitrate comes from the codec, the resolution and the fps:

Bitrate=base × resolution multiplier × (fps ÷ 30)

In by target size mode, we split the final size across the duration: Bitrate = (GB × 8000) ÷ seconds, minus the audio. The data rate in MB/s is the bitrate divided by 8 — the figure your card must sustain.

Video bitrate example for 4K at 30 fps

  • 4K · H.265 · 30p → ≈ 200 Mbps = 25 MB/s → SD V30 card, about 90 GB per hour.
  • 1 GB for 10 min (with AAC 256 audio) → ≈ 13 Mbps of video, perfect for uploading light clips.

Switch between the two modes depending on whether you start from a target quality or a size limit.

Video bitrate FAQ

What bitrate should I use to record video?
It depends on codec, resolution and fps. As a reference, 4K at 30p in H.265 is around 200 Mbps; 1080p at 30p in H.264, about 50 Mbps. The "By quality" mode gives the average bitrate for your combination.
How do I work out the bitrate for a specific final size?
Use the "By target size" mode: enter the desired size in GB and the clip duration, and the calculator splits that size across the time, subtracting audio, to give the exact video bitrate.
What is the difference between bitrate and data rate?
Bitrate is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and data rate in megabytes per second (MB/s). Since 1 byte is 8 bits, MB/s = Mbps ÷ 8. Your card speed is rated in MB/s.
Does more bitrate mean better quality?
Up to a point. A high bitrate keeps more detail and fewer artefacts, but past the codec threshold it barely improves and just takes more space. Modern codecs (H.265, AV1) reach the same quality with less bitrate.
What card do I need for a given bitrate?
Divide the bitrate by 8 to get MB/s and pick a card whose sustained speed beats it. The calculator shows the minimum class (V30, V60, V90, CFexpress).