Video Editing · Beginner level

Beginner level · Module 5: Planning and Exporting Videos · Lesson 2 of 3

Export Settings for Platforms

Export videos that look good and are the right size.

In this lesson you will

  • Choose resolution, bitrate and format
  • Estimate file sizes

Key concepts

H.264 MP4bitratefile sizeplatform needs

The lesson

Most platforms accept H.264 video in an MP4 file. Export at the timeline's frame rate and the resolution the platform shows.

Bitrate controls quality and file size: megabits per second × seconds ÷ 8 gives megabytes.

Upload a high-quality master to YouTube or Facebook; make a smaller version for WhatsApp and mobile data.

Step by step

  1. Export a high-quality master.
  2. Export a smaller version.
  3. Compare quality and size.
  4. Test on a phone.
Data and chart

How export settings change file size

File sizes for a three-minute video at four common settings.

H.264 MP4, size = bitrate (Mbps) × seconds ÷ 8 (illustrative bitrates; audio adds a little more)
SettingVideo bitrate (Mbps)MB per minute3-minute video (MB)
4K master35262.5787.5
1080p for YouTube or Facebook860180
720p for social media43090
720p for WhatsApp and mobile data21545
Size of a 3-minute video (MB) 3-minute video (MB): 4K master 787.5, 1080p for YouTube or Facebook 180, 720p for social media 90, 720p for WhatsApp and mobile data 45 02004006008004K master1080p for Y…720p for so…720p for Wh…

What the data shows

Halving the bitrate halves the file size: 8 Mbps × 180 seconds ÷ 8 = 180 MB, while 2 Mbps gives 45 MB.

A 4K master is over 17 times larger than the WhatsApp version — fine for archiving and YouTube uploads, impractical to send over mobile data.

Recommendation

Keep a high-quality master, upload a 1080p version to YouTube or Facebook and send a 720p, roughly 2 Mbps version on WhatsApp — then watch it on a phone to check text is still readable.

Practice activity

Export the Community Story for YouTube and WhatsApp.

Expected result: Two exports with documented settings.

Check your understanding

  1. Which format and codec do most platforms accept?

    Show answer

    H.264 in an MP4 file.

  2. How do you estimate file size from bitrate?

    Show answer

    Megabits per second × seconds ÷ 8 = megabytes.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.