How to Choose the Best File Format for YouTube Video

With over 2 billion YouTube users and 122 million daily active users, now is the perfect time to boost your YouTube presence for more engagement. The big question for creators is: What's the highest quality format for YouTube video?

While you can upload videos in various formats, it's important to follow some guidelines as a video editor. We'll guide you through the best video file format for YouTube, resolution sizes, frame rates, and aspect ratios for YouTube. By the end, uploading videos to your YouTube channel will be a breeze. Let's get started.

13 Common Formats for YouTube Video File

What kinds of videos can you put on YouTube? YouTube can handle lots of different video types. Here are 13 video formats YouTube works with:

Note: If you have unique formats like AVCHD or MKV, convert them before uploading to YouTube.

Requirements to Upload YouTube Video Format

If you make videos for YouTube, make sure they look really good. For a smooth YouTube video upload, follow these important requirements:

1. Frame Rate

Choose between 24–30 frames per second (fps). You pick this while filming but can change it later if needed. But aiming for 30 frames per second (fps) or higher is highly suggested for good video quality.

2. Resolution

Pick a resolution that balances size and quality. 1080p (HD) is good for most creators. Higher resolutions like 2K or 4K are okay but might be too much. People often watch YouTube on small screens, so the difference may not be noticeable. 720p is the lowest resolution you should use.

3. File Size

While you can upload up to 128 GB (for verified accounts), avoiding going over 20 GB is wise. Use video compressors for large files.

4. Codec

Use widely accepted H.264, MPEG-4, or MPEG-2 codecs on YouTube.

5. Aspect Ratio

Opt for a 16:9 aspect ratio to avoid black bars. YouTube also allows a portrait style with a 9:16 ratio without black bars. Following these guidelines ensures a smoother video upload experience.

What Is The Size of The Best File to Upload to YouTube

Wondering about the best video file size for YouTube? Here's what you need to know:

YouTube lets you upload videos in different sizes, but it's best to use their recommended setting for top-notch quality:

• 2160p (4K video quality)
• 3840p x 2160p

Other important info:

• The biggest file size allowed is 128GB.
• Videos can be up to 120 hours long.
• YouTube accepts various file sizes, but larger resolutions and dimensions are usually better.

You might wonder why bother with the right format. Well:

• Following the platform's upload settings is smart to give your viewers a great time on YouTube (where it's all about videos).
• Different file formats are processed in different ways on YouTube. Using the recommended settings with high resolution helps avoid quality issues.
• Some formats look good but have a big file size, making sharing on social media less enjoyable.

Now, let's figure out how to upload videos to YouTube for the best results.

How to Upload Videos to YouTube

Here's a simple step-by-step guide on how to upload a video to YouTube:

Step 1: Log in to your desired YouTube account and open YouTube Creator Studio.

Step 2: Click Create next to your profile icon, and choose Upload video.

Step 3: Click Select files to upload or drag and drop your video from the files.

Step 4: Add the title, description, and thumbnail to make your video clear and engaging.

Step 5: Enhance your video by adding subtitles, end screens, and cards to optimize it for YouTube search and encourage clicks on related videos or blogs.

Step 6: Adjust visibility settings to the public and choose to schedule the video or post it immediately.

And that's it! You've successfully uploaded your video on YouTube.

Note: Avoid these common mistakes to avoid during the upload process:

• 1. Uploading copyrighted content without permission.
• 2. Ignoring YouTube's community guidelines and policies.
• 3. Using misleading titles, tags, or thumbnails.
• 4. Overlooking the importance of a compelling video description.
• 5. Skipping the option to add relevant video elements like cards or end screens.

How to Fix Damaged Video File Format for YouTube

Dealing with damaged YouTube file formats? Here are some of the common situations that can cause corruption and undesirable errors:

• If your internet is slow or not steady, videos may pause, play poorly, or be hard to upload.
• Uploading very big video files.
• Utilizing an old or unsupported video format
• If your internet cuts off or you close the browser while uploading
• Using music or videos, you don't own or face copyright claims.
• Using too many different frame rates or resolutions in one video.
• Older devices or ones with outdated software might not handle the latest YouTube updates well.
• Adding too many tags or wrong info to your video might break YouTube rules and cause issues.

Within the said undesirable scenarios. discover a reliable solution. With Wondershare Repairit, you can efficiently fix damaged YouTube video files. Repairit supports different YouTube video formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, WMV, MKV, 3GP, and MPEG.

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• Repair damaged videos with all levels of corruption, such as video not playing, video no sound, out-of-sync video or audio, playback errors, header corruption, flickering video, missing video codec, etc.

• Repair full HD, 4K, and 8K videos and support 18 popular formats, including MOV, MP4, M2TS, INSV, M4V, WMV, MPEG, ASF, etc.

• Repair damaged or corrupted videos caused by video compression, system crash, video format change, etc.

• Repair critically damaged or corrupted videos available on SD cards, mobile phones, cameras, USB flash drives, etc.

• Repairit has a quick and advanced scanning mode. You can use either depending on the level of corruption the video file has undergone.

• No limit to the number and size of the repairable videos.

• Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.10~macOS 13.

Key Features of Wondershare Repairit

• Repairit Desktop supports various YouTube video formats for versatility in addressing file issues.
• With a simple and intuitive interface, Repairit Desktop makes the file repair process accessible for users of all levels.
• Benefit from a high success rate in repairing damaged YouTube video files, providing an effective solution to restore your content.
• Repairit Desktop offers a swift repair process for recovering videos promptly and minimizing downtime.
• Your original files remain intact during the repair process. This ensures that no further damage occurs while fixing the corrupted YouTube video.

Conclusion

YouTube is great for promoting, but building your videos takes time and effort. Don't waste all your hard work by choosing the wrong video format when uploading to YouTube.

For the best results, go with YouTube's .MP4 file format. YouTube also allows you to upload videos in formats like 3GPP, AVI, FLV, MOV, MPEG4, MPEGPS, WebM, and WMV. For the best results, YouTube suggests using specific settings, like the H.264 video codec in a .mp4 container and the AAC-LC audio codec, along with a sample rate of 48 kHz or 96 kHz.