Skip to content

Bitrate Calculator

Calculate the video bitrate needed to hit a target file size, or the file size a given bitrate will produce - built for sizing video exports to a duration and a size limit.

Category: network
Use Case: Fitting a File Size Limit, Video Export Settings, Estimating Recording Storage
Privacy: 100% browser-based
Video Bitrate Needed
1.21 Mbps
Total Bitrate (incl. audio)
1.33 Mbps

Recommended Settings

Pro Tips

  • Video bitrate and file size trade off directly against duration - doubling the length of a video halves the bitrate you can use for the same file size
  • A 128 kbps audio track is a common default, but reserve more (192-320 kbps) for music-heavy content where audio quality matters more
  • Video hosting sites and messaging apps often cap upload size (Discord's 25 MB non-Nitro limit is a common target) - use Find Bitrate to hit that exact ceiling
  • These are average bitrate figures - most video encoders vary the actual bitrate moment to moment (variable bitrate), so real output size can differ slightly from the estimate

Most Popular

Most people use Find Bitrate to fit a video under a platform's upload size limit

When to Use This Tool

Fitting a File Size Limit

Find the bitrate needed to keep a video export under a specific size, like an upload or attachment limit.

Video Export Settings

Decide what bitrate to set in your video editor or encoder before exporting.

Estimating Recording Storage

Predict how much disk space a screen recording or camera capture will use at a given bitrate and length.

Comparing Quality Presets

See how much file size a bitrate change actually costs before committing to an export.

How It Works

1

Choose whether you're solving for bitrate or file size

2

Enter the known values - target size or bitrate, plus the video's duration in hours, minutes, and seconds

3

Optionally reserve a separate audio bitrate, which is subtracted from (or added to) the video bitrate

4

The result is calculated using bitrate x duration = file size, converted to a readable unit

100% Private

Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.

Lightning Fast

Powered by Client-side JavaScript arithmetic for optimal performance on modern browsers.

Open Source

Built with verified, open-source libraries. Fully transparent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the bitrate needed for a target file size?

Divide the target file size (in bits) by the video's duration in seconds. This tool does that conversion automatically, and can subtract a reserved audio bitrate from the total.

What bitrate should I use for a 10-minute video under 100 MB?

Enter 100 MB and 10:00 into the Find Bitrate tab - with a default 128 kbps audio reservation, that works out to roughly 1.2 Mbps of video bitrate.

Why is my exported file bigger or smaller than this tool predicted?

Most encoders use variable bitrate by default, which adjusts the bitrate moment to moment based on scene complexity - the average usually lands close to the target, but individual exports can vary slightly.

Should I include audio bitrate separately?

Yes, if you want an accurate total - audio typically adds 128-320 kbps on top of the video bitrate, which matters more for shorter clips where audio is a larger share of the total file size.

Is my data sent to a server?

No. All calculations happen locally in your browser using JavaScript - nothing is transmitted anywhere.