Bitrate, Resolution, and Compression Explained Simply (For Creators)

Last updated: June 12, 2025

Bitrate, Resolution, and Compression Explained Simply (For Creators)

If you've ever opened your export settings and stared blankly at options like 40,000 kbps, H.265, or CBR vs VBR, you’re not alone. Bitrate, resolution, and compression can feel confusing—but they don’t have to be.

In this post, we’ll break it all down in plain English, so you can export your videos with confidence—whether you’re editing 4K vlogs, 8K 360° rides, or short-form content for YouTube and TikTok.

🎬 What Is Resolution?

Resolution is the number of pixels in your video. More pixels = more detail.

Format	Resolution	Use Case
1080p (Full HD)	1920x1080	Good for social, mobile viewing
2.7K	2704x1520	Great balance of detail and file size
4K (UHD)	3840x2160	Standard for YouTube & high-quality content
8K (360°)	7680x3840	Best for immersive or reframed content

Rule of thumb:

• Use 4K if you plan to crop or zoom

• Use 1080p for fast exports or phone-first content

• Use 8K for reframing 360° video (like Insta360 X5)

💾 What Is Bitrate?

Bitrate controls how much data is used per second of video.Higher bitrate = better quality (but bigger files).

It’s usually measured in kbps (kilobits per second):

Bitrate	Quality Level	Best For
10,000–20,000 kbps	Good	1080p YouTube videos
25,000–40,000 kbps	Great	4K footage with good detail
50,000+ kbps	Excellent	8K 360° exports or Pro work

Too low = blocky or blurry video.Too high = massive files with no visible benefit.

🧠 What Is Compression?

Compression is how your video gets shrunk to a manageable file size.It’s done by removing data the viewer probably won’t notice.

🔄 Compression Codecs

• H.264 (AVC): Most common. Good balance of size and compatibility.

• H.265 (HEVC): Newer. Smaller file sizes, better quality—but needs newer devices.

Pro Tip:Use H.265 for 4K or 8K videos if your editor and device support it.Use H.264 for compatibility across all platforms.

⚖️ CBR vs VBR – Which Should You Use?

These affect how bitrate is applied:

Type	Stands For	Best Use
CBR	Constant Bitrate	Simple, predictable file size
VBR	Variable Bitrate	Smarter compression, better quality at lower size

Use VBR 1-pass for faster exports.Use VBR 2-pass for best quality when file size matters.

📦 Final Export Tips for Creators

Project Type	Resolution	Bitrate	Codec
YouTube 1080p	1080p	10–15 Mbps	H.264 (CBR or VBR)
YouTube 4K	4K	25–40 Mbps	H.265 (VBR 2-pass)
Insta360 8K Reframe	8K	50–80 Mbps	H.265 (CBR recommended)
Instagram / Reels	1080p	8–12 Mbps	H.264 (VBR 1-pass)

Bitrate, Resolution, and Compression Explained Simply (For Creators)

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a degree in video science to understand bitrate, resolution, or compression. Just remember:

• Resolution = visual detail

• Bitrate = how much data per second

• Compression = how it's shrunk and saved

Choose the right settings for your platform and project—and you’ll get crisp results without bloated files.