How the subathon math works
Every hour you stream, the timer loses one hour and gains whatever your supporters add. If they add more than an hour of time per hour, the timer grows and the subathon can run forever. That's why most streamers set a maximum length.
Example: with a 4-hour starting timer and 60 seconds per Tier 1 sub, 40 subs an hour plus a few higher-tier subs, 2,000 bits and $40 in donations add 1 hour 17 minutes every hour. The timer keeps growing, so the 72-hour maximum is what ends the subathon, after 3 days. With 10 subs an hour instead, the timer shrinks and the subathon lasts about 18 hours.
What counts on each platform
| Platform | Subs | Bits and gifts | Paid messages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | Tier 1, 2 and 3 subs ($5.99, $9.99, $24.99 in the U.S.) | Bits (100 bits pay the streamer $1) | Outside donations |
| Kick | One flat $5 sub | KICKs (about 1¢ each) | Outside donations |
| YouTube | Membership levels you set | None | Super Chats and Super Stickers |
| TikTok LIVE | LIVE subscriptions | Gifts, bought with coins (100 coins cost about $1) | Outside donations |
Pick your platform above and the fields change to match. If you multistream, add up what you expect from every platform, and give each $1 of support about the same time wherever it comes from.
Setting fair rules
- Match time to value. A Tier 1 sub costs about $6 in the U.S., so giving each $1 donated about a sixth of a sub's time keeps the rules fair.
- Use the "keep steady" number. It shows how many subs per hour you need to hold the timer still. If that is far above what you usually get, shorten the time per sub or the starting timer.
- Plan for sleep and breaks. Decide in advance whether the timer pauses when you are offline, and say so in your rules.
- Support usually spikes early and fades. Run the numbers again each day with your real rate.
Frequently asked questions
How many seconds should a sub add in a subathon?
Common setups add 30 to 60 seconds per Tier 1 sub for larger channels and 2 to 5 minutes for smaller ones, with Tier 2 and 3 at two and five times as much. Use the calculator to check that the timer can actually end.
Do subathon timers keep running when I sleep?
That is up to you. Many streamers keep the stream live with a sleep cam so the timer keeps counting down. Others pause it. State the rule before you start.
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