The best OBS recording settings for most local recordings are Simple output mode, Matroska Video (.mkv), High Quality, Medium File Size, the best hardware encoder OBS lists on your computer, AAC (Default) audio, and a Video tab that matches your real recording target. Use 1920x1080 or 2560x1440 as the output resolution, choose 30 FPS for general recordings or 60 FPS for smoother motion, and keep Base and Output resolution matched when possible.
The caveat is hardware scope. In OBS Studio 32.2.1, encoder names vary by GPU, CPU, operating system, and drivers, so NVIDIA NVENC, AMD, Intel Quick Sync, Apple hardware encoders, AV1, HEVC, and H.264 will not appear on every system. If no suitable hardware encoder is available, use x264 software encoding and expect higher CPU load.
Before changing quality settings, install or update OBS from the official OBS download page. On Windows, the in-app update path is Help > Check For Updates. On macOS, OBS moves that command into the application menu, so use OBS Studio > Check For Updates.
Start with the safest recording baseline
Open Settings > Output.
In that panel, set Output Mode to Simple.
Choose a Recording Path with enough free storage.
Then set Recording Format to Matroska Video (.mkv).
Set Recording Quality to High Quality, Medium File Size.
For Video Encoder, choose the best available hardware encoder OBS offers, preferably a hardware AV1 option when your system and editing workflow support it.
Set Audio Encoder to AAC (Default).
This baseline keeps the setup current and low-risk: MKV protects the recording if OBS or the computer stops unexpectedly, High Quality balances clarity and file size, hardware encoding avoids unnecessary CPU load, and AAC is the default audio choice in OBS Simple output.
Use the wizard when hardware is unclear
- 1.Open Tools > Auto-Configuration Wizard.
- 2.Choose Optimize just for recording, I will not be streaming.
- 3.Choose your Base Resolution and FPS preference.
- 4.Click Next.
- 5.Click Apply Settings.
Treat the wizard as a hardware-aware starting point, then check Settings > Output and Settings > Video yourself because the final format, encoder, resolution, and frame rate still define the recording.
Set resolution and frame rate
Verdict: This keeps the video sharp without forcing avoidable scaling or encoder load.
Open Settings > Video.
Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to the source, monitor, or game resolution in most cases.
Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to the final recording size, such as 1920x1080 or 2560x1440.
Match Base and Output resolution when possible to avoid scaling blur.
When downscaling and prioritizing sharpness, use Lanczos (Sharpened scaling, 36 samples).
When downscaling with lower load, use Bicubic (Sharpened scaling, 16 samples).
Set Common FPS Values to 30 for general recording or 60 for smoother motion.
Choose MKV before MP4
Use Settings > Output > Recording Format > Matroska Video (.mkv) as the default container for local recording. MKV is the safer choice because it is fail-safe if recording is interrupted, while MP4 and MOV are often easier for editors or upload sites.
When you need MP4 compatibility, use File > Remux Recordings after recording.
Select the source file.
In current OBS, Hybrid MP4, Hybrid MOV, Fragmented MP4, and Fragmented MOV also exist, and new profiles now start on Hybrid MP4 on Windows and Linux or Hybrid MOV on macOS.
MKV remains the choice OBS still recommends for most local recording, because it is the one that survives an interrupted recording.
Use Advanced output for encoder control
On supported NVIDIA NVENC systems, open Settings > Output > Output Mode > Advanced > Recording.
Set Type to Standard.
Set Rate Control to Constant QP.
Use Constant QP from 16-23.
Set Keyframe Interval to 2.
Choose Preset P5.
For tuning, use Tuning: High Quality.
For multipass, use Multipass Mode: Two Passes (Quarter Resolution).
For profile, use Profile: High.
Leave Look-ahead: Off.
Turn Adaptive Quantization: On.
Set B-frames: 2.
On supported AMD hardware encoder systems, use Rate Control: CQP.
Use CQ Level: 16-23.
Set Keyframe Interval: 2.
Choose Preset: Quality.
Use Profile: High.
Set Max B-frames: 0.
On Windows, macOS, or Linux systems using x264 software encoding, use Rate Control: CRF.
Use CRF: 16-23.
Set Keyframe Interval: 2.
Choose CPU Usage Preset: veryfast.
Use Profile: High.
Use Tune: None.
On macOS, use Apple VideoToolbox where OBS offers it. Intel Macs support Apple VT H264 Hardware Encoder, while Apple Silicon recording can show H.264, HEVC, and Apple ProRes hardware options.
Lower CQP, CQ, or CRF values improve clarity but increase file size and encoder load.
Pick the encoder format
Use hardware AV1 when OBS shows it and your playback or editing workflow supports AV1; in OBS Studio 32.2.1, Simple mode can show NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel AV1 hardware options depending on the system.
Use Apple hardware HEVC on macOS when OBS offers it and your workflow supports HEVC.
Use H.264 when compatibility matters more than compression efficiency.
Use x264 only when hardware encoding is unavailable or unsuitable, because it uses the CPU.
Avoid old CBR bitrate-only advice as the default for local recording; current OBS recording guidance favors Simple quality presets or quality-based Advanced controls such as CQP and CRF.
For Intel Mac H.264 hardware recording, OBS lists bitrate guidance of 3000 Kb/s for 1280x720 30 FPS, 6000 Kb/s for 1280x720 60 FPS, 8000 Kb/s for 1920x1080 30 FPS, and 16000 Kb/s for 1920x1080 60 FPS.
Choose the capture source
For Windows games, click + in Sources.
Select Game Capture in the Add Source dialog.
For a whole monitor, select Display Capture in that same dialog where supported.
For one app window, select Window Capture where supported.
For macOS 13.0 or newer, select macOS Screen Capture.
Choose display, window, or application mode in source properties.
For webcams and capture cards, select Video Capture Device.
On macOS 13.0 or newer, OBS marks the older Display Capture and Window Capture sources as deprecated for screen and window recording; on macOS 10.15 through 12.6, those legacy sources remain available.
Set audio tracks for playback
Verdict: This keeps normal playback complete while preserving separate tracks for editing.
Open the Audio Mixer dock.
Click the gear icon.
Open Advanced Audio Properties.
Assign every important source to Track 1.
Assign optional separate sources to Tracks 2-6 when you plan to edit later.
Open Settings > Output > Recording.
Enable the tracks OBS should record.
Add hotkeys after quality settings
Use Settings > Hotkeys only after Output, Video, and Audio settings are already correct.
Assign keys for start, stop, or pause recording.
On Windows Game Capture you can also use a foreground-window capture hotkey defined in the same Hotkeys screen.
On macOS, global hotkeys may require Accessibility permission through OBS Studio > Review App Permissions or macOS Privacy & Security settings.
Hotkeys control the workflow; they do not change recording quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I record OBS in MKV or MP4?
Record in MKV as the safer default because it is resilient if recording is interrupted. Remux to MP4 afterward when an editor or upload site needs MP4.
What recording quality should I use in OBS Simple mode?
Start with High Quality, Medium File Size. Use Indistinguishable Quality, Large File Size only when you need higher clarity and can accept larger files and more load.
Is 30 FPS or 60 FPS better for OBS recording?
Use 30 FPS for general recording and 60 FPS for smoother motion. Higher FPS increases encoding load and file size.
Should I use CBR for local OBS recordings?
No. Current OBS recording guidance favors Simple quality presets or quality-based Advanced controls such as CQP or CRF for local recordings.
