Bitrate Calculator

Calculate the optimal bitrate for streaming on Twitch, YouTube, or Kick. Get OBS settings based on your resolution, frame rate, and upload speed.

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Resolution

Width

px

Height

px

Frame rate

Duration

min

Audio bitrate

kbps

Minimum3.0 Mbps

Recommended6.0 Mbps

Maximum9.0 Mbps

Upload speed needed7.8 Mbps

Est. file size (60 min)2.6 GB

Platform bitrate limits

Twitch8.5 Mbps

YouTube51.0 Mbps

Kick8.0 Mbps

Facebook8.0 Mbps

How streaming bitrate works

The relationship between resolution, frame rate, and bandwidth.

Bitrate measures how much data is sent per second. A 6,000 kbps stream sends 6 megabits of video data every second to the streaming platform. Higher bitrate means more data per frame, which translates to better visual quality and less compression artifacting.

The required bitrate scales with both resolution and frame rate. Doubling the resolution (e.g., 1080p to 4K) quadruples the pixel count, so it needs roughly 3-4x the bitrate. Doubling the frame rate (30 to 60 fps) needs about 1.3-1.5x the bitrate because video encoders can reference previous frames to reduce redundancy.

Streaming FAQ

Common questions about bitrate, OBS, and stream quality.

What bitrate should I stream at on Twitch?

For 1080p60 on Twitch, use 6,000 kbps. Twitch caps non-partners at 8,500 kbps. Going higher does not help because Twitch re-encodes the stream anyway. If your upload speed is under 10 Mbps, drop to 4,500 kbps at 720p60 for a more stable stream.

Is higher bitrate always better?

Not necessarily. Higher bitrate means better quality per frame, but it requires more upload bandwidth. If your upload speed cannot handle the bitrate consistently, viewers will experience buffering. Stability matters more than raw quality for live streams.

What is the difference between CBR and VBR?

CBR (Constant Bit Rate) sends the same amount of data per second regardless of scene complexity. VBR (Variable Bit Rate) adjusts based on the content. Use CBR for live streaming because it provides consistent bandwidth usage. Use VBR for local recordings to get better quality at smaller file sizes.

How much upload speed do I need for streaming?

Your upload speed should be at least 1.3x your stream bitrate plus a buffer for other network activity. For a 6,000 kbps stream, you need roughly 8-10 Mbps of stable upload. Use a wired ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi for consistent speeds.

What bitrate does YouTube recommend?

YouTube recommends 4,500-9,000 kbps for 1080p60 live streams and up to 51,000 kbps for 4K60. YouTube is more generous with bitrate limits than Twitch. For uploads (not live), YouTube re-encodes everything, so higher bitrate source files produce better final quality.

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