How the speed test works
The test measures your upload speed, the number that matters for streaming. It sends random data from your browser to our server in parallel for about nine seconds and times it, ignoring the first moment while the connection warms up. It also checks download speed and ping. Your internet provider's app may show a different number, because it usually tests against a server in their own network.
How the settings are chosen
A stream needs a steady upload, and home connections dip. So the recommendation keeps 25% of your upload spare, takes out the audio, and then picks the best quality that fits each platform's rules:
- Twitch takes H.264 video at up to 6,000 kbps on its standard path. At that cap, 1080p60 suits most games. For fast shooters and racing games, 900p60 often looks sharper, because each frame gets more data. Channels in Twitch's Enhanced Broadcasting program can send higher-quality tracks, and OBS sets those up automatically.
- YouTube uses its published live encoder recommendations, for example 12 Mbps H.264 for 1080p60. With a newer graphics card that supports AV1 or HEVC, the same quality needs about 30% less bitrate.
- Kick accepts H.264 up to 1080p60 at 8,000 kbps.
- TikTok LIVE is vertical. Set the OBS canvas to 1080 × 1920. TikTok suggests 720 × 1280 output for most streams, because almost everyone watches on a phone, with 1080 × 1920 as the top quality.
- Facebook Live publishes a bitrate range for each quality, topping out at 1080p60 with 4,500 to 9,000 kbps.
- Rumble recommends 4,000 to 6,000 kbps for 1080p60 and 2,500 to 4,500 kbps for 1080p30.
- X recommends 720p at 30 fps, accepts up to 1080p, and uses a 3-second keyframe interval.
| Platform | Top quality | Bitrate | Keyframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | 1080p60 | Up to 6,000 kbps | 2 s |
| YouTube | 2160p60 | 12,000 kbps H.264 at 1080p60 | 2 s |
| Kick | 1080p60 | Up to 8,000 kbps | 2 s |
| TikTok LIVE | 1080 × 1920 | About 2,500 to 6,000 kbps | 2 s |
| 1080p60 | 4,500 to 9,000 kbps | 2 s | |
| Rumble | 1080p60 | 4,000 to 6,000 kbps | 2 s |
| X | 1080p | Up to 12,000 kbps | 3 s |
All platforms want a constant bitrate (CBR). Use a 2-second keyframe interval everywhere except X, which asks for 3 seconds.
Streaming to several platforms
Sending a separate stream to each platform splits your upload between them, so each one gets less. A relay service such as Restream takes one upload and sends it everywhere. Tick that box above and the full upload goes to a single stream.
Next steps
Recording clips to share? The video file size calculator finds the bitrate that fits Discord and other upload limits.
Frequently asked questions
What upload speed do I need to stream?
For 1080p60 on Twitch at 6,000 kbps, you need a steady upload of about 8 to 10 Mbps once you allow headroom. For 720p, around 5 Mbps is enough. YouTube at higher quality needs much more.
What is the best bitrate for Twitch?
6,000 kbps is the standard maximum for most channels, at 1080p60 or 900p60. With less upload, 720p60 at 4,500 kbps is a good fallback.
What are the best OBS settings for TikTok LIVE?
Set the OBS canvas to 1080 × 1920 so the stream is vertical, use 30 fps, and a bitrate of about 2,500 to 6,000 kbps depending on your upload. TikTok suggests 720 × 1280 output for most streams.
Why do I get dropped frames in OBS?
Dropped frames mean your connection could not keep up. Lower the bitrate by 500 to 1,000 kbps, use a wired Ethernet connection, and stop other uploads such as cloud backups while you stream.
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