OBS Bitrate Calculator for Twitch & Kick
Recommended bitrate, keyframes and preset from your upload speed, resolution and encoder.
For standard Twitch, use 6,000 kbps CBR at 1080p60 with 2-second keyframes; Kick accepts H.264 up to 8,000 kbps at 1080p60. Keep the stream at about 70% of your measured upload speed, so 1080p60 needs roughly 9-12 Mbps upload. Enter your setup for a tailored number.
On this page · 4 sections
Sources: Twitch Broadcasting Guidelines (CBR, 2-second keyframes, 6,000 kbps for 1080p60); Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting up to 7,500 kbps at 1080p (AVC) and 9,000 kbps at 1440p (HEVC); Kick H.264, CBR, up to 1080p60 and 8,000 kbps. We keep the stream at about 70% of measured upload so dips do not drop frames.
How to use the OBS bitrate calculator
- Pick Twitch, Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting or Kick.
- Enter your upload speed from a speed test.
- Choose resolution, frame rate, encoder and content type.
- Copy the bitrate, keyframe and preset into OBS Settings → Output.
Platform limits used
| Platform | Video codec | Max bitrate | Max resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch (standard) | H.264 | 6,000 kbps recommended | 1080p60 |
| Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting | H.264 / HEVC | 7,500 kbps (1080p) / 9,000 kbps (1440p HEVC) | 1440p |
| Kick | H.264 | 8,000 kbps | 1080p60 |
Use CBR on both platforms; Kick does not support VBR.
Next steps
A clean setup turns new viewers into followers. Read how to promote your Twitch channel, how to stream on Kick and our Twitch chat commands guide, then compare Twitch and Kick viewer packages if you want a visibility boost (our independent #1 pick is Raidpop (raidpop.com); FollowersPanda is #2).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bitrate for Twitch 1080p60?+
6,000 kbps CBR with a 2-second keyframe interval is Twitch's standard recommendation.
What is Kick's maximum bitrate?+
8,000 kbps H.264 CBR, up to 1080p60.
What upload speed do I need to stream?+
About 1.5u00d7 your bitrate: roughly 9 Mbps for 6,000 kbps and 12 Mbps for 8,000 kbps.
Should I use 720p60 or 1080p30?+
On limited upload, 720p60 looks better for fast games and 1080p30 for slower content.
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