Free Tool

OBS Bitrate Calculator

Calculate the optimal streaming bitrate for OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, or any RTMP encoder based on your internet upload speed and target resolution. Get instant recommendations for YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and custom RTMP servers.

100% Free Instant Results Platform-Specific

Quick Presets

Select a preset to auto-fill recommended settings

Test your upload speed at fast.com or speedtest.net

Bitrate Recommendations by Platform

YouTube Live

  • 720p60: 4,500-6,000 kbps
  • 1080p60: 6,000-9,000 kbps
  • 1440p60: 9,000-18,000 kbps
  • 4K60: 20,000-51,000 kbps
  • Audio: 128-320 kbps AAC

Twitch

  • 720p30: 3,000-4,500 kbps
  • 720p60: 4,500-6,000 kbps
  • 1080p30: 4,500-6,000 kbps
  • 1080p60: 6,000 kbps max
  • Audio: 160-320 kbps AAC

Facebook Live

  • 720p30: 3,000-4,000 kbps
  • 720p60: 4,500-6,000 kbps
  • 1080p30: 4,000-5,000 kbps
  • 1080p60: 5,000-8,000 kbps
  • Audio: 128 kbps AAC

Shoutcast Net

  • 720p60: 3,000-6,000 kbps
  • 1080p60: 6,000-10,000 kbps
  • 1440p60: 10,000-20,000 kbps
  • 4K60: 20,000-50,000+ kbps
  • Audio: 128-320 kbps AAC

Understanding Streaming Bitrate

What is Bitrate?

Bitrate is the amount of data transmitted per second in your stream, measured in kilobits per second (kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bitrate = better quality but requires more upload bandwidth. Your streaming bitrate should be 70-80% of your upload speed to leave headroom for stability.

How to Check Your Upload Speed

  1. Visit fast.com (Netflix) or speedtest.net (Ookla)
  2. Click "Go" or "Begin Test" to start the speed test
  3. Wait for the download speed test to complete
  4. Note your upload speed (usually shown in Mbps)
  5. Use 70-80% of that upload speed for your stream bitrate

Bitrate vs Quality vs Upload Speed

Resolution FPS Bitrate Min Upload
480p 30 500-1,500 kbps 1.5 Mbps
720p 30 2,500-4,000 kbps 5 Mbps
720p 60 4,000-6,000 kbps 8 Mbps
1080p 30 4,000-6,000 kbps 8 Mbps
1080p 60 6,000-9,000 kbps 12 Mbps
1440p 60 9,000-18,000 kbps 20 Mbps
4K 60 20,000-51,000 kbps 50 Mbps

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Bitrate too high: Stream drops frames, stutters, or disconnects when upload can't keep up
  • Bitrate too low: Pixelated, blurry video quality especially during fast motion
  • Ignoring audio bitrate: Remember to account for audio (128-320 kbps) in total bandwidth
  • Using VBR instead of CBR: Variable bitrate can cause issues with some platforms, always use CBR for streaming
  • Wrong encoder: Use hardware encoding (NVENC, QuickSync, AMF) if CPU struggles with x264

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Ready to Start Streaming?

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Next Steps

Get professional streaming hosting with unlimited listeners and download free broadcasting software to get started.

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