5 Efficient Ways to Reduce OBS Recording Size [With Steps]

OBS Studio is a powerful tool for recording high-quality videos. Still, file sizes can swell quickly, devouring storage and complicating sharing. If you’ve been wondering how to make OBS record less large files without losing quality, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will examine why OBS recordings are so important and how to determine their size. For those who want alternatives, you will know the best tools for recording compact, high-quality video. Lastly, this post will provide some bonus tips on reduce OBS recording size to whatever size you require.

How Large is the OBS Recording File Size?

While OBS Studio is fantastic for recording high-quality videos, the video files it creates are often surprisingly large. This is because OBS, by default, captures raw, uncompressed footage that retains quality but takes up a lot of storage space.

Why are OBS Screen Recording Files So Large:

• Bitrate: Higher bitrates result in larger files by allocating more data to preserve visual detail.
• Codec: More efficient codecs like H.264 or H.265 compress video better, while uncompressed or RAW formats generate extremely large files.
• Resolution: Higher resolutions like 1080p or 4K produce larger files because they contain more pixel data per frame.
• Frame Rate: Recording at 60 FPS instead of 30 FPS can nearly double the file size because more frames are stored each second.
• CQP (Constant Quantization Parameter): Lower CQ values (e.g., 18–22) produce higher quality and significantly larger files, while higher values reduce file size at the cost of detail.

Typical File Sizes:

• A 10-minute recording at 1080p and 60 FPS and high Bitrate can quickly go over 1-2 GB.
• That is even more important for 4K recordings, which can simultaneously be 5-10 GB.

Change OBS Recording Settings to Reduce File Size

Adjusting OBS Studio's settings is the best way to shrink the OBS recording size without losing too much quality. This is a comprehensive guide to optimizing the settings of your OBS reducing size:

1. Adjust the Bitrate

• What is Bitrate: Bitrate determines the data processed per second in your recording. Higher bitrates mean better quality but larger file sizes.

• How to Adjust:

○ Go to Settings > Output > Streaming.
○ Set the bitrate to a lower value (e.g., 2500-5000 kbps for 1080p).

2. Choose the Right Codec

• What is a Codec: A codec compresses and decompresses video files. Some codecs are more efficient at reducing file size.

• Recommended Codecs:

○ Use H.264 (most common and efficient for smaller files).
○ For advanced users, H.265 (HEVC) offers even better compression but requires more processing power.

• How to Change:

○ Go to Settings > Output > Streaming.
○ Select your preferred codec under the Video Encoder dropdown.

3. Lower the Resolution and Frame Rate

• Resolution: Recording at 1080p instead of 4K can significantly compress OBS recording.

• Frame Rate: Lowering the frame rate from 60 FPS to 30 FPS can cut file sizes in half.

• How to Adjust:

○ Go to Settings > Video.
○ Set the Base (Canvas) Resolution and Output (Scaled) Resolution to 1920x1080 (1080p) or lower.
○ Change the Common FPS Values to 30 FPS.

4. Adjust the Recording CQP and CBR

• What is CQP and CBR

○ CQP: Constant Quality Profile. The value indicates compression strength (lower values yield higher quality but larger files; commonly used range: 23–28). Provides stable image quality and is suitable for local recording.
○ CBR: Constant Bitrate Profile. The value represents the data volume per second. Suitable for scenarios requiring stable bandwidth, such as live streaming.

• How to Change:

○ Go to "Settings", click "Output" and open "Advanced Mode".
○ Click "Recording" and find "Rate Control". Now you can set CQP mode.

By following these steps, you can achieve the best OBS settings for small file size and effectively compress OBS recordings without compromising too much on quality. Whether you’re a streamer, gamer, or content creator, these optimizations will help you save OBS screen recordings with smaller size.

Best Alternative to Record Video with Small Size and High Quality

4Easysoft Screen Recorder is a versatile and intuitive screen recording solution tailored for both newbie and advanced users. Whether you want to record gameplay, make tutorials, record online meetings, or save streaming videos, this software does it all without a hitch and with excellent results. Unlike OBS Studio, which requires manual adjustments to reduce video file size in OBS, 4Easysoft Screen Recorder simplifies the process with built-in optimization features that ensure smaller file sizes without compromising quality.

Step 1Run the program and choose the "Video Recorder" button. There are many screen recording modes for you to choose.

Step 2Set the resolution, frame rate, and bitrate according to your needs to optimize size and quality.

Step 3Start recording and let the software handle the compression automatically. Save your recording in a preferred format and share it effortlessly.

Bonus Tips to Compress All the OBS Recordings to Any Size

4Easysoft Total Video Converter is the ultimate converter for converting and compressing OBS recordings, which can easily be used to complete many multimedia missions. This software also provides an entire bundle for optimizing your media files, encoding OBS recordings, or converting media types for specific devices.

Features of 4Easysoft Total Video Converter

• Reduces file sizes by up to 90% while preserving high quality.
• Supports 500+ formats for seamless device compatibility.
• Compress or convert multiple files at once for efficiency.
• Adjust resolution, bitrate, and codec for optimal quality.
• Includes DVD ripping, video downloading, and GIF creation.

Step 1Open the program and hit Add Files to load your OBS recordings or other videos.

Step 2Select a format like MP4 or MOV from the Profile dropdown menu.

Step 3Adjust resolution, bitrate, and other parameters to achieve the desired file size and quality.

Step 4Hit Convert to initiate the process and wait for it to be done.

Step 5Once the process is complete, save your optimized files and use them as needed.

FAQs about Reduce OBS Recording Size

• Can I compress an OBS recording after it's finished?

  Yes, you can use the video compressor like 4Eaysoft Total Video Converter have, to compress OBS videos after finishing recording. Keep in mind that additional compression may slightly reduce visual quality, especially if the original file was already heavily compressed.

• What are the best OBS settings for game recording?

  It is suggested to set OBS range as 1080p 60FPS in 30,000-50,000 Kbps for high-quality recording. If you use OBS in less demanding scenarios, you can use 1080p 30FPS in 24,000 Kbps.

• How long does OBS let you record?

  There is no maximum recording length for OBS. Just make sure there is enough storage space and high performance of your computer. You can screen record OBS for hours or even days. The OBS recording size is larger than other competitors. You can calculate the file size in advance.

Related Articles:

• A Beginner’s Guide on How to Make OBS Record Audio Only
• OBS Virtual Camera – How To Use It & Its Best Recorder
• The Ultimate Guide to Making OBS Record Mac Audio Out
• The Ultimate Guide on How to Record Extended Screen on OBS