Estimated file size
Approximate encoded size before small container overhead.
Share links include only numbers and choices. Local saves remain in this browser until you delete them.
Compare low, base, and high casesOne input changes at a time
| Case | Total bitrate | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 9 Mbps | 675 MB |
| Base | 12 Mbps | 900 MB |
| High | 15 Mbps | 1.13 GB |
These cases reuse the same formula and vary only total bitrate. They are planning scenarios, not predictions.
Saved on this device0 of 6 saved
Save a fresh result to compare or reuse it later on this device.
Formula or method
File size = bitrate × duration in seconds ÷ 8Assumptions
- The estimate excludes small container and metadata overhead.
- Variable bitrate exports can finish above or below the average target.
Sources and verification
- YouTube Help: YouTube recommended upload encoding settingsProvides YouTube's published codec, frame-rate, audio, color-space, and upload bitrate recommendations.
How to use the video file size
Estimate an export's storage requirement from its average total bitrate and duration. The result is a planning value because variable-bitrate encoders and container overhead can change the final file.
Include the complete average bitrate
Add video and audio bitrate when the export application reports them separately. Confirm whether the displayed value is in kilobits or megabits per second before entering it.
High-motion footage can require more data than a static presentation at the same perceived quality. Variable bitrate responds to that complexity, so the completed export may not match a simple target exactly.
Use platform guidance as a reference, not a file-size guarantee
YouTube publishes recommended upload bitrates by resolution and frame rate. Those values help select a sensible master, while the calculator converts the chosen bitrate into an approximate storage requirement.
Questions about this tool
Why is my exported file different from the estimate?
Variable bitrate, audio settings, metadata, container overhead, and encoder decisions can move the actual size above or below a simple average-bitrate estimate.
Does resolution alone determine file size?
No. Duration and bitrate drive the estimate; resolution influences the bitrate you may need for acceptable quality.
Should I enter video bitrate or total bitrate?
Enter video plus audio bitrate. If your application displays only video bitrate, add the audio bitrate before calculating.