What it is
Video bitrate is the amount of data transmitted per second to convey a moving picture. For live or on‑demand streaming, estimating whether a given resolution, frame rate, and codec can be carried over a network link is critical. The estimator uses a practical model: it assumes the source video is raw YUV420 (12 bits per pixel), multiplies that by the chosen frames per second to get an uncompressed bitrate, then applies a codec‑dependent compression ratio plus any optional head‑room multiplier. The result, expressed in kilobits and megabits per second, allows operators and media producers to plan bandwidth, select bit‑rate ladders for adaptive streaming, or evaluate encoder cost/throughput trade‑offs.
How to use it
Enter the horizontal and vertical pixel counts of your source, then specify how many frames you deliver every second. Choose the H.264 profile that matches your production pipeline – Baseline for low‑complexity real‑time uses, Main for typical broadcasts, or High for studio masters – which sets the compression ratio. If you anticipate a few spikes or need to provision extra bandwidth for audio, select an additional margin percentage. The calculator outputs two numbers: the estimated encoded bitrate in kbit/s and the same value in Mb/s, both rounded to three decimals so they are ready for quick copy‑and‑paste into encoder settings or network planning sheets.
Worked example
• Compute the pixel count: 1920 × 1080 = 2 073 600 pixels. • Raw bits per frame for YUV420: 2 073 600 × 12 = 24 883 200 bits. • Multiply by 30 fps to get raw bitrate: 24 883 200 × 30 = 746 496 000 bits/s. • Apply the chosen codec’s compression ratio (0.065) and no margin: 746 496 000 × 0.065 = 48 522 240 bits/s. • Convert to kbit/s: 48 522 240 ÷ 1 000 ≈ 48 522.240 kbit/s (rounded). • Then to Mb/s: 48 522.240 ÷ 1 000 = 48.522 Mb/s. The output therefore is a 48.522 Mb/s stream at 1080p/30fps with main‑profile compression.
Inputs
- Resolution width (px): 1920
- Resolution height (px): 1080
- Frame rate: 30
- Codec profile: 0.065
- Bitrate head‑room (%): 0
Result
- Estimated bitrate: 48522.24
- Estimated bitrate: 48.522
Frequently asked questions
What does YUV420 mean in the calculation?
YUV420 is a common color space for video where each pixel has one luma (Y) component and chroma samples are shared across 2×2 blocks. It equates to 12 bits/pixel, which is why the base model uses that value for raw bitrate.
How accurate is this estimate compared with a real encoder?
The figure is a theoretical upper bound assuming an ideal compressor at the selected profile. Actual encoded bitrates can differ by ±10–20 % depending on content complexity, encoder tuning, and settings such as GOP length or B‑frame count.
Can I include audio bandwidth in this estimate?
No, this calculator focuses solely on video. Add audio bitrate separately to your network budget – typically 128–320 kbit/s for stereo AAC or Opus.
Why can the head‑room margin be set up to 200 %?
In some production scenarios a burst of high motion or additional metadata may require more bandwidth than static compression predicts. A generous multiplier guarantees you don’t overcommit your link, even if it is conservative for daily operations.