How to Upload 4K Video to YouTube and Maximize Your Reach

Wondering how to upload 4K videos on YouTube and reach more viewers? Find out how to seamlessly upload your 4K content while optimizing for maximum engagement.

how to upload 4k video on youtube
CapCut
CapCut2025-01-21
0 min(s)

Uploading a 4K video to YouTube makes your content clear and attractive to the viewers. HD videos bring more traffic, increase engagement, and distinguish your content from a highly competitive channel. There are a few tips one should master to achieve the maximum results for your 4K content if you are a creator who wants to increase the number of subscribers.

In this article, you will learn how to upload a 4K video on YouTube. You will discover the main actions, the preferable conditions, and recommendations on preserving video quality while uploading. This way, you can ensure your content is at its best and gets to the most people possible, just what any creator wants.

Table of content

Can you upload 4K videos to YouTube

Yes, you have the right opportunity to upload 4K videos to YouTube. To ensure smooth uploading and maintain quality, follow these recommended settings:

  • File type: MP4
  • Video codec: H.264
  • Audio codec: AAC-LC
  • Resolution: 3840x2160
  • Frame rate: Ensure that you have a matching recording frame rate
  • Bitrate: 35-45 Mbps for 4K SDR, 44-56 Mbps for 4K HDR
  • Audio bitrate: 128 kbps (Mono), 384 kbps (Stereo), 512 kbps (5.1)

These settings refine video and audio quality during uploading. Choosing the right file type, resolution, and bitrate is important so your video will still look good and won't have issues while playing. Syncing the frame rate of the video helps maintain smooth movement, while the right codecs improve compatibility. Following rules and regulations, you can get professional-looking 4K videos on YouTube and elsewhere.

Why should you upload 4K videos on YouTube

4k video upload YouTube affects your content and subscribership. Here's why it's a smart choice:

  • Big impact on viewing experience on large screens
  • 4K videos' primary effect significantly changes the viewing experience during video playback on large screens. With the enhanced usage of smart TVs and high-definition screens, 4K supplies sharper and higher-quality pictures. It also makes your videos look more professional and improves their quality.
  • There is big potential to lure more viewers
  • High-quality visuals in 4K can capture more attention. Viewers are naturally drawn to better-looking content, increasing their chances of choosing your video over others. This can help grow your audience significantly.
  • Big improvement in visual quality for smart TVs
  • Smart TVs and modern displays are for high resolutions. 4K videos make the most of these devices, offering vibrant colors and detailed visuals, giving your content an edge in visual appeal.
  • Big advantage in YouTube search rankings
  • YouTube prioritizes high-resolution content in search results. 4K YouTube upload improves your video's chances of appearing higher in search rankings, which means more exposure and potential views.
  • Big benefit in future-proofing your content
  • As technology advances, 4K is becoming the standard. Uploading this resolution ensures your content stays relevant. It also meets the growing expectations of audiences who prefer high-quality videos.

How to upload a 4K video to YouTube from your PC

How to upload a 4K video on YouTube? Uploading 4K videos to YouTube from your PC is straightforward. Follow these steps for a smooth process:

    Step
  1. Export your video to 4K
  2. One program that can be used for video editing is CapCut desktop video editor. Save the video in MP4 format, using H.264 for the video codec and AAC for the audio codec.
  3. Step
  4. Check file settings
  5. Check the video quality to be 3840*2160, and the frame rate must be correct to the recorded one. The bitrate must be 85 Mbps or above to ensure a high-quality video. Use a bitrate of not less than 320Kbps for the best-quality audio output.
  6. Step
  7. Go to the YouTube upload page
  8. Open YouTube, go to Create, and click on the camera option at the top right of the page. From the pull-down list, choose "Upload Video."
  9. 
    Selecting file on YouTube to upload a 4k video
  10. Step
  11. Select your 4K video
  12. Choose your 4K video file from your computer and click "Open." The YouTube 4k upload process will begin immediately.
  13. 
    Selecting 4k video from the device to upload to youtube
  14. Step
  15. Enter the video title and description
  16. Include a title and a description of the video's context video. Ensure the title is engaging and includes relevant keywords.
  17. 
    Editing the video title and description to upload the video
  18. Step
  19. Adjust audience and visibility settings
  20. Select your audience type (e.g., "For Kids" or "Not for Kids"). Choose visibility options like Public, Unlisted, or Private.
  21. 
    Adjusting audience and visibility to upload video to YouTube
  22. Step
  23. Publish and monitor upload
  24. Click "Publish" to upload. Keep the browser window open until the upload and processing are complete. YouTube will process the video for 4K playback.
  25. 
    Publishing and monitoring the 4k video upload to YouTube

How to upload 4K video to YouTube from iPhone & Android

Uploading 4K videos to YouTube from iPhone or Android is simple. Follow these steps to get started:

    Step
  1. Download the YouTube app
  2. Install the YouTube app from the iPhone App Store or Android Google Play Store. Launch the app on your phone.
  3. Step
  4. Access your YouTube account
  5. Tap the profile icon or "You" at the bottom right. Sign in using your YouTube or Google account credentials.
  6. Step
  7. Open settings for uploads
  8. Select the "Settings" icon located in the top right corner of the screen. From the menu, select "Uploads."
  9. 
    Open settings for uploads on the phone
  10. Step
  11. Set upload quality to full
  12. Under "Upload" settings, choose "Full Quality" to ensure your 4K video uploads are in their original resolution.
  13. 
    Set upload quality to full
  14. Step
  15. Select your 4K video to upload
  16. Tap the '+' icon located on the screen below. Then, select the 4K video you want to upload from your phone's gallery.
  17. Step
  18. Create a video title
  19. Add a title that represents your video. Make it relevant and concise. Tap "Next" to proceed.
  20. Step
  21. Choose your audience and upload

Select whether the video is for kids or not. Tap "Upload Video" to start the process.

Note: The steps are similar for Android devices. To ensure a successful upload, ensure your internet connection is stable.

Edit 4K videos before uploading them to YouTube with CapCut

For anyone needing a free desktop video editor that can handle 4K video editing, CapCut is one of the best. CapCut desktop video editor is developed specifically for 4K video. It provides several features that let you trim, enhance, and fine-tune your video per your desirability. You can enrich the picture quality with the help of such settings as color correction and video filters. It also lets you insert transitions and audio effects into the videos. CapCut desktop video editor effectively edits and processes 4K videos before uploading the content on YouTube.


Showing interface of CapCut adjusting the 4k video resolution

Key features

  • Control and adjust video resolution settings
  • CapCut desktop video editor lets you easily control and convert video resolution settings, ensuring your 4K content stays sharp and clear during editing.
  • Various YouTube video templates
  • CapCut desktop video editor has many YouTube video templates you can use to create professional videos in the shortest time possible.
  • Customizable YouTube thumbnails
  • With the CapCut desktop video editor, you can easily create catchy YouTube thumbnails that make your videos recognizable and more popular.
  • Automatically generate AI stickers and text
  • CapCut desktop video editor has an AI function that generates stickers or adds text to video, which helps reduce time spent and adds more creativity to your videos.
  • Generates accurate subtitles with auto-captions
  • CapCut desktop video editor has an auto-captions option that provides fairly accurate subtitles, which helps add captions to videos.

How to edit 4K videos with CapCut

To edit 4K videos with the CapCut desktop video editor, follow these steps: Download the CapCut desktop video editor for free.

    Step
  1. Import video
  2. Open the CapCut application and click "Create project." Depending on where your file is stored, you can import your 4K video directly from your device or cloud storage.
  3. 
    Importing the video into CapCut
  4. Step
  5. Edit the video and adjust the resolution
  6. Once you add your video to the timeline, click on the video to open the editing options on the left sidebar. First, stabilize any shaky footage by clicking the "Stabilize" feature on the sidebar. If you want to freeze any key moments, click "Freeze" above the video timeline and adjust the duration to fit your needs.
  7. To improve engagement, add AI-generated stickers and text by selecting the "Stickers" and "Text" icons. You can also apply creative effects and smooth scene changes using the "Effects" and "Transitions" buttons. Lastly, ensure your video resolution is set to 3840x2160 to maintain 4K quality throughout editing.
  8. 
    Editing the video and adjusting the resolution to 4k in CapCut
  9. Step
  10. Export and share your video
  11. After editing, you will see the "Export" button at the top right of the screen. You can also directly share files with YouTube, or keep them for further use.
  12. 
    Exporting or sharing the video from CapCut with 4k resolution

Conclusion

Therefore, knowing how to upload 4K video on YouTube increases the visual impact of your material, increases users' interest, and attracts more clients. You should follow the elaborated steps in the present article to achieve the best results in quality video uploading. Choosing the correct resolution of your video, along with the correct bitrate, and how you take advantage of post-processing applications such as CapCut desktop video editor are all essential attributes toward creating the best quality video possible. So, you justify these technicalities and optimally apply the features available on YouTube. In that case, your 4K videos will become eye candy on the specific platform, enhancing overall performance.

FAQs

  1. What resolution and settings should I use for a 4K video on YouTube?
  2. For a 4K video on YouTube, use MP4 with H.264 for video and AAC-LC for audio. The ideal resolution is 3840x2160, with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Choose a 24, 30, or 60 fps frame rate to ensure the best playback quality. To enhance your workflow and simplify the process, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor's powerful editing features to maintain 4K quality before uploading.
  3. Why is my 4K video not showing in 4K on YouTube?
  4. If your video is not showing in 4K, it may be due to YouTube's processing time or a lower bitrate setting during upload. Ensure the video uploads with proper settings, including the correct resolution and bitrate. Tools like CapCut desktop video editor can help optimize your video before uploading to guarantee it displays correctly in 4K.
  5. How can I ensure my video uploads are 4K quality on YouTube?
  6. To ensure your video uploads in 4K, double-check the resolution, frame rate, and bitrate settings before uploading. Use MP4, H.264 codec, and AAC-LC for audio. CapCut desktop video editor can help you export your video in the best quality, ensuring smooth uploading and maximizing the 4K resolution for YouTube.
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