Video bitrate: balance quality and file size
Bitrate is a data budget, not a quality score. Learn how duration, audio and video settings combine to determine the approximate size of an export.
Understand the trade-off
Video and audio both contribute to file size. A useful estimate in decimal megabytes is ((video kbps + audio kbps) × seconds) ÷ 8000, plus container overhead. For example, 60 seconds at 2,000 kbps video and 128 kbps audio is about 16 MB.
A target bitrate is not an exact final size: variable-bitrate encoders distribute data according to the scene. Fast motion, fine texture and noise are harder to compress than a static screen at the same resolution.
A useful starting point
- Enter video and audio bitrates separately in kbps.
- Keep source frame rate unless a change is intentional.
- A larger frame may need more data to retain detail.
- Compare a short export before lowering the bitrate again.
Use the editor
- Drop a video onto the home page; processing happens in your browser.
- Use the thumbnail timeline to set the clip boundaries. Zoom to the clip for precise adjustments.
- Choose an aspect ratio, then move or resize the crop frame.
- Select the output format. Open Advanced export settings only if you need quality, resolution, frame rate or bitrate controls.
- Export, then play the saved file before sharing it.
Test a short sample
Test a short section that includes movement, text and audio before exporting the full video. Trim and crop edits re-encode the selected video; Auto can preserve compatible unedited streams. Keep the source file so you can try again.
Check the result
Inspect the beginning and end, the subject’s framing, audio sync and small text. Check file size and dimensions, then preview the destination platform’s upload: it may resize or recompress the result.