Use this OBS bitrate calculator to pick the best streaming bitrate for Twitch, YouTube or Kick. Higher bitrate means sharper video, but only if your upload speed can keep up — set it too high and viewers get buffering and dropped frames.
Recommended OBS bitrate settings
These are safe starting points for smooth, good-looking streams. Twitch caps most non-partner channels around 6,000 kbps, while YouTube and Kick allow much higher, so 1080p60 can look noticeably crisper there.
| Resolution / FPS | Twitch | YouTube / Kick |
|---|---|---|
| 720p 30 | 3,500 kbps | 3,500 kbps |
| 720p 60 | 5,000 kbps | 5,000 kbps |
| 900p 60 | 6,000 kbps | 7,000 kbps |
| 1080p 30 | 5,000 kbps | 6,000 kbps |
| 1080p 60 | 6,000 kbps | 9,000 kbps |
| 1440p 60 | 6,000 kbps | 14,000 kbps |
How to choose your bitrate
Two things decide your ceiling: the platform's limit and your internet upload speed. As a rule of thumb, keep your video bitrate below about 70–75% of your measured upload speed so there's headroom for audio, network jitter and other devices. For example, a 6,000 kbps stream (6 Mbps) wants roughly 8 Mbps of stable upload. If your upload is shaky, drop the bitrate a notch — a stable 4,500 kbps looks better than a stuttering 6,000.
Recommended encoder settings
Use CBR (constant bitrate) rate control, a 2-second keyframe interval, and a hardware encoder (NVENC on NVIDIA, AV1/HEVC where supported) or x264 at the "veryfast" preset if you encode on CPU. Set audio to 160 kbps. Match your OBS output resolution and FPS to the values above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bitrate for Twitch at 1080p 60fps?
Around 6,000 kbps, which is the practical cap for most non-partner Twitch channels. Pair it with a 2-second keyframe interval and CBR. If your upload can't hold 6,000 comfortably, 900p60 at 6,000 or 1080p60 at 4,500–5,000 often looks cleaner.
How much upload speed do I need to stream?
Keep your video bitrate under ~70–75% of your upload. For 6,000 kbps you want about 8 Mbps of stable upload; for 4,500 kbps about 6 Mbps. Wired Ethernet is far more stable than Wi-Fi for streaming.
Is higher bitrate always better?
No. Beyond the platform's cap the extra data is wasted, and going above what your upload can sustain causes dropped frames and buffering for viewers. Match bitrate to resolution, FPS and your real upload speed.
Can I stream higher bitrate on YouTube or Kick than Twitch?
Yes. Twitch limits most channels to about 6,000 kbps, while YouTube and Kick accept much higher, so 1080p60 and 1440p can look sharper there if your upload allows it.
CBR or VBR for streaming?
Use CBR (constant bitrate) for live streaming. It keeps a predictable data rate that platforms and viewers' players handle best. VBR is better suited to local recording.
More free tools for streamers
Bregvorn is building a full set of free tools for creators. Browse the free tools hub — including a streaming earnings calculator — and check back as we ship more.
Last updated: July 2026 · Recommendations are starting points; test on your own connection.