How to use it
- Choose the platform, resolution, frame rate and codec you plan to stream with.
- Enter your upload speed from a speed test to check that the stream fits.
- Read the video bitrate, total bitrate and data used per hour.
- Copy the OBS settings summary, and adjust the platform limits if they have changed.
How it works
The suggested video bitrates are typical starting values for H.264: for example 4,500 kbps for 720p60, 6,000 kbps for 1080p60 and 30,000 kbps for 4K at 60 fps. HEVC and AV1 compress more efficiently, so the tool uses about 75% (HEVC) and 65% (AV1) of the H.264 value. That is a rough rule of thumb, not a standard: fast motion such as shooters needs more, a static screen less.
The suggestion is then limited by the platform's maximum, which you can edit. Defaults are commonly cited values (Twitch 6,000 kbps for standard streaming, Kick 8,000 kbps, YouTube's published table up to 51,000 kbps); platforms change them, so check their current guidelines.
The upload check adds video and audio and warns when the total is above 75% of your measured upload speed, because upload speed varies and other devices share it. Data per hour is the total bitrate × 3,600 seconds ÷ 8, in gigabytes (10^9 bytes). The OBS summary uses constant bitrate (CBR) and a 2-second keyframe interval, which most platforms ask for, and AAC audio.
Examples
Twitch at 1080p60
H.264 at 1080p60 suggests 6,000 kbps video, 6,160 kbps with 160 kbps audio: about 2.77 GB per hour. You need an upload speed of about 8.2 Mbps for the 75% rule.
YouTube 1440p60 with AV1
AV1 at 1440p60: 13,500 × 0.65 ≈ 8,800 kbps video, 8,960 kbps in total, about 4.03 GB per hour.
Slow upload
With 6 Mbps upload the safe budget is 4,500 kbps. For a 1080p60 Twitch stream the tool suggests lowering video to 4,340 kbps or switching to 720p.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bitrate for Twitch?
For standard streaming the commonly cited maximum is 6,000 kbps, which suits 1080p60 or 900p60. 720p60 at about 4,500 kbps often looks cleaner with fast motion. Check Twitch's current guidelines.
How much upload speed do I need to stream?
Keep the stream at or below about 75% of your measured upload speed. A 6,160 kbps stream needs about 8.2 Mbps upload.
Should I use CBR or VBR?
Live platforms generally recommend constant bitrate (CBR) because it keeps the data rate steady for the ingest server and viewers.
How much data does streaming use per hour?
Total bitrate in kbps × 0.00045 gives gigabytes per hour. 6,160 kbps is about 2.77 GB per hour; 3,160 kbps is about 1.42 GB.
Privacy
All calculations run in your browser. Your settings and upload speed are not sent anywhere; the tool does not run a speed test itself.