Does YouTube Support HDR? Upload Requirements and Playback

What Is HDR for YouTube?

If HDR on YouTube looks unavailable, or your YouTube HDR upload plays as SDR, the short answer is that YouTube supports HDR on compatible clients when the source signaling and processing are correct. Start by checking the HDR label, then review the export requirements and upload steps below.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a video technology that expands the brightness and color range beyond what standard dynamic range (SDR) video can display. On YouTube, HDR videos appear with an "HDR" label next to the resolution option (e.g., "2160p HDR"), giving viewers a more lifelike, immersive experience on compatible devices.

Watching HDR, uploading a finished HDR file, and configuring an HDR live stream are separate workflows. YouTube TV is also a separate service from standard YouTube video playback.

YouTube HDR uploads use PQ or HLG signaling with Rec.2020 color primaries. Optional HDR10+ metadata can be included in the uploaded file, but this input capability does not identify the HDR format delivered to every viewer.

When you upload an HDR video to YouTube, the platform detects supported HDR signaling and produces HDR renditions for compatible devices. Viewers on non-HDR devices receive an SDR rendition through tone mapping, so the same upload can still play on standard displays.

Which Devices Support YouTube HDR?

Not all devices can display HDR content. Use this viewer checklist:

YouTube HDR playback requires a compatible display and playback client. The quality menu shows an HDR label when an HDR rendition is available on that client; standard displays receive an SDR rendition.

• Display and client: Use an HDR-capable display with a playback client that supports YouTube HDR.
• System settings: Enable HDR in the device or operating system settings where that control is available.
• Playback verification: Open the YouTube quality menu and confirm that "HDR" appears beside an available resolution.

YouTube HDR Upload Requirements

Before uploading HDR video to YouTube, your footage must meet specific technical specifications. Using the wrong settings can result in washed-out colors or prevent the HDR label from appearing.

Important tips:

• Use 3840×2160 (UHD) resolution rather than DCI widths like 4096×2160 for better YouTube compatibility.
• Always use 10-bit or 12-bit color depth. Standard 8-bit encoding will not be recognized as HDR by YouTube.
• PQ (ST 2084) is the most common transfer function for YouTube HDR uploads. If your video uses PQ, it must include SMPTE ST 2086 mastering display metadata.

HDR Encoding Formats Supported by YouTube

Choosing the right codec and container is critical for preserving HDR quality during upload. For HDR signaling, YouTube accepts PQ or HLG with Rec.2020 color primaries and 10- or 12-bit video.

In a Dolby Vision vs HDR10 comparison, HDR10 uses static metadata while Dolby Vision uses dynamic metadata. For YouTube, optional HDR10+ metadata may be included in the uploaded file, but the HDR quality label does not identify HDR10+ or Dolby Vision output for a particular viewer.

As of October 2026, YouTube documents PQ and HLG signaling with optional HDR10+ input metadata.

Recommended Container and Codec Combinations

A container such as MP4, MOV, or MKV does not by itself make a file HDR. The codec, bit depth, transfer function, color primaries, and metadata must also meet the HDR upload requirements.

Recommended Codecs for HDR YouTube Upload

Avoid standard 8-bit H.264 for HDR uploads because it does not meet YouTube's 10- or 12-bit requirement and will be treated as SDR.

How to Upload HDR Video on YouTube (Step-by-Step)

Use this five-step workflow to prepare the file, upload it, and verify that an HDR rendition is available on a compatible playback client.

Step 1: Record or Prepare HDR Footage

Start with HDR source material. You can either:

• Shoot natively in HDR using an HDR-capable camera (see camera recommendations below)
• Convert authorized SDR footage to HDR10 using UniFab's HDR Upconverter AI

When recording, ensure your camera is set to: - HDR recording mode (HLG or PQ) - Rec. 2020 color space - 10-bit or higher color depth - A supported codec (HEVC, ProRes)

Step 2: Edit and Grade Your HDR Video

Use professional video color grading software that supports HDR workflows:

• DaVinci Resolve: Set project color management to Rec. 2020/ST 2084 (PQ), then use a managed HDR export that carries the project signaling.
• Adobe Premiere Pro: Enable HDR in Sequence Settings → Working Color Space → Rec. 2100 PQ or HLG.
• Final Cut Pro: Supports HDR with Wide Gamut HDR library settings.

Key editing tips: - Work on an HDR-compatible monitor for accurate color grading - Use waveform monitors to assess brightness distribution - Export in 10-bit HEVC or ProRes to preserve the HDR grade and signaling

Step 3: Add HDR Metadata

HDR videos must contain proper metadata in the codec or container for YouTube to recognize them as HDR. The available methods are:

Method A: Export from DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve can embed HDR signaling when the project and export are configured for Rec. 2020 with PQ or HLG. This keeps the grade and signaling in the same managed export.

Method B: YouTube HDR Metadata Tool

If your editing software does not export standard HDR metadata, use the YouTube HDR Metadata Tool (available on GitHub). This tool uses mkvmerge to embed required metadata into MKV containers.

Key metadata fields the tool can set:

Warning: Use the YouTube HDR Metadata Tool only with footage graded using PQ or HLG. Adding HDR metadata does not convert SDR or Rec. 709 footage into HDR.

Use mastering-display and light-level values that match the actual HDR grade rather than values from an unrelated display.

Step 4: Upload to YouTube

Once your video has proper HDR metadata:

1. Sign in to your YouTube account
2. Click the Create button (+ icon) → Select Upload video
3. Drag and drop your HDR video file or click Select files
4. Fill in the title, description, and tags while the video uploads
5. Complete the configuration prompts (Monetization, Elements, Checks)
6. Set visibility and click Publish (or schedule for later)

YouTube checks the uploaded file for supported HDR signaling and begins processing. Lower-resolution options may appear before the HDR rendition is available.

Step 5: Check HDR Playback

After uploading, verify your video displays correctly:

1. Uploading the file and making its HDR rendition available are separate stages. An HDR label in the quality menu on a compatible client confirms HDR playback availability.
2. Open your video on an HDR-compatible device
3. Click the Settings (gear icon) → Quality
4. Look for the "HDR" label next to resolution options (e.g., "2160p HDR").
5. If no HDR label appears, compare a known HDR video on the same client, inspect your codec, bit depth, Rec. 2020 primaries, and PQ or HLG signaling, then allow processing to continue and retry playback before making a new export.

How to Add HDR Metadata with YouTube HDR Metadata Tool

The YouTube HDR Metadata Tool is a command-line utility hosted on GitHub that uses mkvmerge to add HDR signaling metadata to MKV files that have already been graded with a PQ or HLG transfer function. It does not convert SDR or Rec. 709 footage into HDR. Here is how to use it:

Prerequisites

• Install mkvtoolnix (includes mkvmerge)
• Download the YouTube HDR Metadata Tool from GitHub
• Your video must be graded using an HDR transfer function (PQ or HLG)

Usage Steps

1. Install mkvtoolnix from the official website or your package manager
2. Prepare your video in a supported format (MKV recommended)
3. Run the metadata tool with options that match the transfer function used to grade your HDR video. The following are option fragments, not complete runnable commands:

For PQ (HDR10), the signaling options include:

--colour-matrix 0:9
--colour-transfer-characteristics 0:16
--colour-primaries 0:9

Add mastering-display and content-light values that match the actual graded source rather than treating example values as universal settings.

For HLG, the signaling options include:

--colour-matrix 0:9
--colour-transfer-characteristics 0:18
--colour-primaries 0:9

4. Verify the metadata using mkvinfo to confirm proper embedding
5. Upload the processed MKV file to YouTube

Note: Videos using PQ signaling must contain mastering display information (SMPTE ST 2086). YouTube also accepts optional HDR10+ input metadata carried as ITU-T T.35 terminal codes or SEI headers, but that input metadata does not specify the HDR format delivered to every viewer.

Convert SDR to HDR10 with UniFab HDR Upconverter AI

If your existing footage is SDR, you can use UniFab HDR Upconverter AI, an HDR software option for local conversion. UniFab HDR Upconverter AI converts SDR footage to HDR10. YouTube HDR uploads use Rec.2020 primaries and PQ or HLG signaling; check the exported file and the uploaded sample through the HDR playback checklist. UniFab HDR Upconverter AI is also available with a lifetime license. Native HDR footage does not need this conversion and can proceed through the existing editing and export workflow.

Use footage you own or are authorized to edit and upload, follow applicable law and YouTube's terms, and do not redistribute unauthorized content.

Key features:

• SDR-to-HDR10 conversion on Windows and Mac
• Local MP4 or MKV output
• GPU acceleration and batch processing

Step-by-Step Guide to Convert SDR to HDR with UniFab

Popular HDR Cameras for YouTube Creators

If you are choosing a camera for footage you have not shot yet, focus on verified recording settings rather than a broad model list. For a compact-camera comparison, the DJI Osmo Pocket 1 vs. 2 overview can help with form-factor choices, but confirm the exact model's HDR recording options before filming.

• Record at 10-bit or higher to preserve the color information required for HDR.
• Use PQ or HLG as the transfer function.
• Set the recording or export workflow to Rec. 2020 color primaries.

Native HDR footage can move directly into an HDR-managed editing and export workflow. Existing SDR footage may need conversion before you prepare the YouTube upload.

Troubleshooting: Common YouTube HDR Upload Issues

Start by identifying which stage failed: file transfer, YouTube's HDR rendition processing, or playback on the current client.

1. No HDR Label Appears on YouTube

This is the most common issue. Check the following: 

• Codec: Ensure you are using HEVC, VP9 Profile 2, or AV1 with 10-bit encoding
• Bit depth: Must be 10-bit or 12-bit (8-bit will not trigger HDR)
• Metadata: Verify HDR metadata is embedded using mkvinfo or MediaInfo
• Transfer function: Must be PQ (ST 2084) or HLG — Gamma 2.2 or sRGB will not work
• Color primaries: Should be Rec. 2020, not Rec. 709
• Next step: If these file checks pass, follow Step 5 to verify processing and playback on a compatible client.

2. Video Looks Washed Out or Too Dark

• Ensure you exported with Rec. 2020 color space and 10-bit or higher bit depth
• Check that your editing software HDR settings match your export settings
• Verify the transfer function is set to PQ or HLG (not Gamma 2.4 or Linear)
• If using the YouTube HDR metadata tool, confirm your video was actually graded in HDR
• Play a known HDR video on the same hardware, then try your upload in a second current client. If the known clip also looks wrong, investigate the display, operating system, or client before making a new export.

3. Upload Takes Too Long

• Larger HDR export files take longer to transfer than smaller files on the same connection
• Use HEVC or AV1 to reduce file size at a chosen quality level
• A stable internet connection helps the upload transfer complete without interruption
• After the transfer completes, YouTube still needs to generate HDR renditions; this server-side stage is separate from upload speed

4. HDR Works on Some Devices but Not Others

• Confirm that the affected device has an HDR-capable display, a compatible playback client, HDR enabled in system settings, and an HDR label in the quality menu.
• If playback differs across clients, compare a known HDR video and try a second current client on the same hardware.

5. Color Banding in HDR Video

• Increase bitrate during export to reduce compression artifacts
• Use 12-bit encoding instead of 10-bit if your software supports it
• Apply dithering in your color grading software
• Avoid heavy color grading on footage with limited dynamic range

FAQs about YouTube HDR

Does YouTube support HDR?

Yes. YouTube supports HDR uploads and playback on compatible displays and clients. When an HDR rendition is available, the quality menu shows an "HDR" label; standard displays receive an SDR rendition.

Can I convert SDR to HDR for YouTube?

Yes. UniFab HDR Upconverter AI can convert SDR footage to HDR10. Use footage you own or are authorized to edit and upload, then confirm that the export uses Rec.2020 primaries, PQ signaling, and 10- or 12-bit video before checking the uploaded sample for an HDR label.

Does YouTube support HDR live streaming?

Yes. YouTube supports HDR live streaming with a compatible HDR encoder and a supported ingest configuration. This workflow is separate from uploading a finished video, and the camera, encoder, and Live Control Room settings must preserve the HDR signal from capture through ingest.

What is the difference between HDR10 and Dolby Vision on YouTube?

For YouTube uploads, use Rec.2020 primaries, 10- or 12-bit video, and PQ or HLG signaling. YouTube also accepts optional HDR10+ input metadata, but the HDR quality label does not identify Dolby Vision or guarantee HDR10+ output to every viewer.

Can I turn off HDR in YouTube?

YouTube does not provide a single disable-HDR switch across all clients. Where available, use your device or operating system display settings to turn off HDR, or play the video on a client that uses YouTube's SDR rendition. Camera HDR settings control recording and do not change YouTube playback.

How long does YouTube take to process HDR videos?

Uploading the file and making its HDR rendition available are separate stages, so there is no fixed processing window. After the upload finishes, follow the HDR playback verification steps above to check whether the HDR rendition is available.

Conclusion

Uploading HDR video to YouTube requires attention to technical specifications: the right codec, 10-bit or higher color depth, proper HDR metadata, and Rec. 2020 color primaries. A practical workflow is to shoot or convert your footage to HDR, edit with HDR-capable software like DaVinci Resolve, ensure metadata is properly embedded, and then upload normally.

If your source footage is SDR, UniFab HDR Upconverter AI can convert it to HDR10; native HDR footage can proceed through the existing export workflow without conversion. In either case, check the exported file's Rec.2020 primaries, PQ or HLG signaling, and bit depth, then confirm that the uploaded sample shows an HDR label on a compatible client.