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Step 1: Open Export and choose the format
With your sequence selected, go to the Export tab in the top left of Premiere Pro. In the settings, give your file a name in File Name and click the blue Location link to pick where it should be saved.
Next, look at Preset. You can choose any preset from the list, because the settings below will override it. What matters is that Format is set to H.264, the format YouTube handles best.
Step 2: Match the video settings to your source
Expand the Video tab and click Match Source. Premiere then fills in the frame size, frame rate and other basics from the clips in your timeline, so the export keeps the same resolution and smoothness as your footage.
If one of the values does not match what you want, untick the small checkbox next to that setting and change it by hand. For example, you can pick a different frame rate from the dropdown if your project needs one.
Step 3: Turn on the quality options
Click More under the basic video settings to reveal the advanced options. Tick Render at Maximum Depth and Use Maximum Render Quality. These give the encoder the best possible picture to work from, which helps with gradients and fine detail. Exports can take a little longer with these on, so it is a trade of time for quality.
Step 4: Set the profile and bitrate
Scroll down to Encoding Settings. Open the box next to Profile and change it to High. Then keep scrolling to Bitrate Settings and switch Bitrate Encoding to CBR (constant bitrate), which keeps the data rate steady through the whole video.
Now you need a target bitrate that fits your footage. YouTube publishes a table of recommended video bitrates with one row for each resolution and one column for standard frame rates (24, 25, 30) and another for high frame rates (48, 50, 60). Check your resolution and frame rate in the Source info in the export window, then pick a value from the matching cell.
As an example, the video records in 4K at 60 fps, so it picks a number between 53 and 68 Mbps. Since the goal is maximum quality, it takes the higher number. A lower resolution or frame rate needs a lower bitrate, so do not just copy the 4K value.
Step 5: Check the audio settings
Expand the Audio section. Make sure the audio format is AAC and set the audio bitrate to 320 kbps. That is a high-quality setting that keeps music and voice clean after YouTube re-encodes the file.
Step 6: Save your settings as a preset
Instead of repeating all of this for every video, save it. Click the three dots next to Preset and choose Save preset. Type a name and confirm.
Next time you export, open the Preset dropdown and pick your custom preset. If it is not in the short list, click More presets, open the Custom Presets tab and click the star to favorite it. Favorited presets always show up in the dropdown.
Finally, click Export at the bottom right and you are ready to upload.
Tips
- One preset per resolution. Save a separate preset for 1080p and 4K so the bitrate is always right.
- Check the file size. The estimated file size at the bottom of the export window tells you whether the bitrate is sensible before you commit.
- Need a smaller file? See our guide on how to reduce video file size in Premiere Pro.
FAQ
What is the best export format for YouTube in Premiere Pro?
H.264 is the standard choice. It gives high quality at a size that uploads quickly.
What bitrate should I use for 4K 60 fps?
YouTube's table recommends roughly 53 to 68 Mbps for 4K at high frame rates. Choose the upper end for the best quality.
Should I use CBR or VBR?
The video uses CBR to keep a constant, high bitrate. VBR can save space, but CBR is the simple way to guarantee quality.
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