About Screen Recording Calculator
The Screen Recording Calculator recommends optimal settings for any screen recording scenario. Enter your screen resolution, content type, intended output, and duration to get tailored codec, bitrate, frame rate, and software recommendations โ plus an accurate file size estimate.
Key Screen Recording Settings
Resolution: Record at your native screen resolution (1:1 pixel mapping). Avoid upscaling or downscaling during capture. For delivery to 1080p platforms, record at 1920ร1080 or scale down in post. Frame Rate: 30fps is sufficient for tutorials, presentations, and UI demos. 60fps is recommended for gaming and any content with fast motion. Codec: H.264 is the standard for screen recording โ excellent hardware acceleration. ProRes or DNxHD for professional editing workflows. Encoder: Prefer hardware encoders (NVENC for Nvidia, VCN for AMD, QuickSync for Intel) over software (CPU) encoding to reduce system load during recording. This is critical for gaming capture.
Content Type Matters
Screen content varies enormously in motion complexity. Static slides require very little bitrate. Fast-paced gaming needs high bitrate for clean encoding. Tutorials fall in between. Our calculator adjusts the estimated bitrate and recommended settings based on your content type.
OBS Studio Recommended Settings
For 1080p streaming at 30fps: Encoder NVENC H.264, Rate Control CBR, Bitrate 6000 kbps, Keyframe interval 2, Profile High, Preset Quality. For 1080p recording: Rate Control CQP, CQ Level 18, Profile High, Preset Quality.