Bit depth
Bit depth in video is the number of bits used to store each color value for every pixel, which sets how many shades of color can be shown. Each color channel gets 256 possible shades in 8-bit video and 1,024 in 10-bit. Higher bit depth produces smoother gradients and less banding. HDR video requires at least 10-bit.
Why it matters
Bit depth affects how premium video looks, especially in skies, gradients and dark scenes where 8-bit shows banding. Higher bit depth is required for HDR. It also adds encoding cost and can break playback on older devices, so teams usually keep an 8-bit version alongside 10-bit.
How it works
- Each pixel stores brightness and color as numbers with a set number of bits.
- More bits give more possible values: 8 bits allow 256 levels per channel, 10 bits allow 1,024.
- More levels mean smaller steps between shades, so gradients look smooth instead of stepped.
- The decoder and display must support the bit depth, or the video is converted down.
8-bit vs 10-bit video: is 10-bit worth it?
Yes, for HDR and premium content 10-bit is worth it, and for HDR it is required. 10-bit gives four times as many shades per channel, which reduces banding in skies and shadows. For standard video on older devices, 8-bit is still the safe default.
Why does my video have color banding?
Banding usually comes from too few shades or too little bitrate. In 8-bit video, smooth gradients like skies or dark walls can turn into visible steps. Heavy compression makes it worse by flattening fine detail. Encoding in 10-bit, raising bitrate or adding slight grain or dither all reduce banding.
Where it's used
OTT services use 10-bit video for HDR and premium titles so skies and dark scenes avoid banding. Video platforms and short video apps decide whether to keep 10-bit uploads or convert them for older devices.
By the numbers
- YouTube Live's recommended settings list 8-bit for SDR and 10-bit for HDR streams. (YouTube Help: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions)
- YouTube requires HDR uploads to use a color depth of 10 or 12 bits. (YouTube Help: Upload High Dynamic Range (HDR) videos)
