Pick your resolution, frame rate, codec and platform to get a recommended OBS bitrate for live streaming, the usable range, the upload speed you need with safe headroom and the data used per hour. Enter your measured upload to see the highest bitrate it can handle.
Last updated:
kbps
kbps
Mbps
From a speed test: use the upload figure, not download.
%
75% leaves headroom for spikes and other traffic.
Enter your values to see the result.
Advertisement
Advertisement
How to use the Streaming Bitrate Calculator
Choose your output resolution and frame rate as set in OBS (Settings → Video).
Pick the codec your encoder uses and the type of content you stream.
Select the platform or enter a custom maximum bitrate.
Optionally enter your upload speed from a speed test.
Copy the recommended bitrate into OBS (Settings → Output) with CBR and a 2-second keyframe interval.
How the recommendation is calculated
The calculator starts from widely used H.264 targets for each resolution at 30 and 60 fps, scales them for other frame rates (bitrate grows more slowly than the frame rate, because consecutive frames are similar), then applies a content factor and a codec factor:
Video kbps = base(resolution, fps) × motion factor × codec factor Upload needed = (video + audio) ÷ share of upload used
Motion factors: low 0.75, normal 1.0, high 1.25. Codec factors: H.264 1.0, HEVC 0.7, AV1 0.6. The result is then limited to the platform's cap. Example: 1080p60 normal motion in H.264 = 6,000 kbps; with 160 kbps audio and a 75% limit you need (6,000 + 160) ÷ 0.75 ≈ 8.2 Mbps upload.
Starting points by resolution (H.264, normal motion)
Resolution
30 fps
60 fps
Upload for 60 fps (75% rule)
480p
1,500 kbps
2,250 kbps
≈ 3.2 Mbps
720p
3,000 kbps
4,500 kbps
≈ 6.2 Mbps
936p
4,000 kbps
5,500 kbps
≈ 7.5 Mbps
1080p
4,500 kbps
6,000 kbps
≈ 8.2 Mbps
1440p
9,000 kbps
13,500 kbps
≈ 18.2 Mbps
4K (2160p)
20,000 kbps
30,000 kbps
≈ 40.2 Mbps
Platform limits change over time. The values used here reflect common guidance as of 2026: Twitch about 6,000 kbps for standard ingest, Kick about 8,000 kbps, and YouTube without a fixed limit (it publishes recommended ranges per resolution). Choose "Custom / other" to enter any limit.
Tips for a stable stream
Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi whenever you can; it avoids the short drops that cause skipped frames.
Run a speed test at the time of day you stream, since upload speeds often fall in the evening.
Downscale before raising bitrate: if you are capped, a lower resolution with the same bitrate usually looks better than a blocky higher resolution.
Hardware encoders (NVENC, AMF, QuickSync, Apple VideoToolbox) keep CPU load low; use a quality preset your system can sustain without encoding lag.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I stream at for 1080p 60 fps?
With H.264, around 6,000 kbps is the usual target for 1080p at 60 fps, which is also Twitch's commonly cited maximum. Fast games look noticeably better with more, so on platforms without that limit (such as YouTube) 8,000–12,000 kbps is common. HEVC and AV1 reach similar quality with roughly 30–40% less.
How much upload speed do I need to stream?
Add your video and audio bitrate and keep the total at no more than about 75% of your measured upload speed. A 6,000 kbps video stream with 160 kbps audio needs roughly 8.2 Mbps of upload. Wi-Fi and shared connections need even more headroom.
Should I use CBR or VBR for streaming?
Use CBR (constant bitrate) for live streaming. Streaming platforms and viewers' players handle a steady bitrate best, and VBR can spike above your connection's capacity during fast scenes and cause dropped frames.
Is 720p60 or 1080p30 better at a low bitrate?
At around 3,500–4,500 kbps, 720p at 60 fps usually looks better for fast games because motion is smoother and each pixel gets more bits. 1080p at 30 fps can suit slower content such as strategy games or chatting, where sharpness matters more than motion.
How much do HEVC and AV1 save compared with H.264?
As a rule of thumb, HEVC needs about 30% less bitrate and AV1 about 40% less for similar visual quality, depending on the encoder and content. They only help if your platform accepts the codec and your GPU or CPU can encode it in real time.
What keyframe interval should I use?
Set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. Most platforms require or recommend it, and it lets viewers join and switch quality smoothly.
Why is my stream dropping frames?
Dropped frames in OBS usually mean the connection cannot keep up with the bitrate. Lower the bitrate, use a wired Ethernet connection, choose a closer ingest server or reduce the resolution or frame rate.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.