The export mistakes that cause blockiness
Go through these before you re-render.
- Bitrate too low. A 1080p H.264 export at 2 to 3 Mbps will block on any motion. Aim for 8 to 16 Mbps at 30 fps for 1080p, and roughly 35 to 45 Mbps for 4K.
- Exporting at a smaller size than the timeline. A 4K timeline exported as 720p looks soft, and then looks blocky when the platform scales it up.
- Proxy media in the render. If proxies are toggled on, some editors export from them. Turn proxies off before exporting.
- Using a social media preset for a master file. Presets for the web are aimed at small files, not quality.
- Variable bitrate with a low maximum. If the maximum bitrate is close to the target, busy scenes cannot borrow bits and fall apart.
- A hardware encoder at a fast preset. GPU encoders are quick but need more bitrate to match software x264 at the same visual quality.
A solid default recipe
For most projects: H.264 (or HEVC if the destination supports it), the same resolution and frame rate as your timeline, variable bitrate with two passes if available, a target around 12 Mbps and a maximum around 20 Mbps for 1080p, audio AAC at 192 to 320 kbps.
Do not export a 25 or 30 fps timeline at 60 fps. It creates duplicate frames and doubles file size with no benefit.
How to re-export without blocks
- Turn proxies offSwitch the editor to full-resolution media and confirm the playback resolution is set to Full.
- Match the sequenceUse the sequence resolution and frame rate for the export. Do not shrink the frame size unless you must.
- Raise the bitrateSet variable bitrate, 2-pass, target 12 to 16 Mbps for 1080p and a higher max. For 4K use 35 to 50 Mbps.
- Enable the best scaling optionUse maximum render quality or the highest scaling setting whenever you are changing size.
- Watch it at 100 percentZoom the viewer to 100 percent and scrub through a motion-heavy scene. If the export is still blocky, the problem is in the source footage, not the export.
- If the source is the problem, fix the video itselfUpload the exported file here to clean it and see a free preview before downloading a repaired version.
Try it on your own video
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Upload a videoFrequently asked questions
Why does my video look fine in the editor but pixelated after export?
The editor preview often shows full-quality decoded frames, while the export is compressed to your chosen bitrate. If the bitrate is low, the compression shows only in the final file.
What bitrate should I export 1080p video at?
For H.264 at 30 fps, 8 to 16 Mbps is a safe range. Use the upper end for fast motion, gaming footage or grainy video.
Does exporting in 4K make video sharper?
Only if the footage really is 4K. Upscaling a 1080p timeline to 4K export gives more pixels, not more detail, though it can help on platforms that give 4K uploads better compression.
Should I use H.264 or H.265 to avoid pixelation?
H.265 gives similar quality at around half the bitrate, but not every platform or player handles it well. H.264 at a good bitrate is the safe choice.
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