What is cq level obs

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Quick Answer: CQ level in OBS is a numerical parameter (0-51) used with CQP encoding that controls the quality of video output, where lower numbers produce higher quality at the cost of larger file sizes and higher bitrates.

Key Facts

What is CQ Level in OBS?

The CQ level in OBS is a quality scale parameter used when recording with CQP (Constant Quality Profile) encoding. It determines the visual quality of your recorded or streamed video on a scale from 0 to 51, where 0 represents the highest possible quality and 51 represents the lowest quality before becoming unwatchable.

Understanding the Scale

The CQ level works inversely to expectations: lower numbers mean higher quality. A CQ level of 18 will produce significantly better quality than a level of 30, but will also result in a much larger file size and consume more bandwidth. The scale is logarithmic, meaning the quality difference between levels 20 and 25 is less noticeable than between levels 15 and 20.

Recommended CQ Levels

For professional or high-quality recordings, a CQ level between 18-23 is recommended. For general-purpose recordings where slight quality loss is acceptable, levels 24-28 work well. Streaming applications might use 28-35 depending on available bandwidth. Gaming content is often recorded at 20-25 for optimal balance between quality and file size.

CQ Level and Hardware

Higher quality levels (lower CQ numbers) require more processing power from your GPU or CPU. If you experience lag or dropped frames, increasing your CQ level (reducing quality) can help maintain smooth performance. Conversely, if you have spare processing power, decreasing your CQ level improves output quality.

Finding Your Optimal CQ Level

Test different CQ levels with your specific hardware and content type. Record 1-2 minute clips at various levels (20, 24, 28, 32) and compare the quality-to-file-size ratio. Your optimal level balances acceptable visual quality with manageable file sizes for your use case.

Related Questions

What CQ level should I use for gaming?

For gaming, a CQ level of 20-24 is ideal, balancing visual quality with file size. If performance is critical, try 25-28. Test with your specific game to find the best balance.

How does CQ level affect file size?

Lower CQ levels produce higher quality but exponentially larger files. A CQ level of 20 might result in files 2-3 times larger than CQ level 28 for the same duration.

Can I change CQ level during recording?

CQ level must be set before recording begins and cannot be changed during an active recording session in OBS. Stop recording to adjust the setting.

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Sources

  1. OBS Project Official Website GPL-2.0
  2. Wikipedia - Quantization in Image Processing CC-BY-SA-4.0