Key Takeaways
- Twitch Bits are Twitch's virtual currency that viewers use to "cheer" and support streamers directly during live broadcasts.
- Streamers earn $0.01 (1 cent) per Bit received, with no revenue split—you keep 100% of the Bit value.
- Bits can be purchased in bundles from 100 ($1.40) to 25,000 ($280), with better value at higher quantities.
- Free Bits are available by watching ads, completing surveys, and participating in promotional campaigns.
- Bits in Extensions enable interactive monetization where viewers spend Bits to trigger effects, play games, or unlock features.
Twitch Bits represent one of the platform's most direct and flexible ways for viewers to financially support their favorite streamers. Unlike subscriptions that commit viewers to monthly payments or donations that go through third-party processors, Bits exist entirely within Twitch's ecosystem—making them secure, instant, and celebrated with animated cheermotes that add excitement to any stream. Whether you're a viewer wanting to show appreciation or a streamer looking to maximize your monetization potential, understanding Bits is essential.
This comprehensive guide covers everything about Twitch Bits: what they are, how to get them (including free methods), how much streamers actually earn, the tiered cheermote system, and how interactive Twitch extensions use Bits to create engaging experiences. We'll also explore practical strategies for streamers to encourage Bit usage without being pushy.
What Are Twitch Bits?
Twitch Bits are the platform's official virtual currency, introduced in 2016 as a way for viewers to support streamers directly during live broadcasts. According to Twitch's official help documentation, Bits are purchased with real money and can be used to "cheer" in chat, creating animated emotes that display the viewer's support publicly.
How Bits Work
The Bits system operates on a simple principle: viewers purchase Bits from Twitch, then spend those Bits in enabled channels. Here's the basic flow:
- Purchase: Viewers buy Bits through Twitch using payment methods like credit cards, PayPal, or Amazon Pay
- Cheer: In a Bits-enabled channel, viewers type "cheer" followed by the amount (e.g., "cheer100")
- Display: An animated cheermote appears in chat, sized and colored based on the Bit amount
- Earn: The streamer receives the Bit value instantly, credited to their Twitch balance
Unlike donations through external platforms like PayPal or Streamlabs, Bits have no chargeback risk for streamers—once Bits are received, the revenue is secured.
Who Can Receive Bits?
Bits are available to both Twitch Affiliates and Partners. To start receiving Bits, streamers must:
- Achieve Affiliate status: Requires 50 followers, 500 total minutes broadcast, 7 unique broadcast days, and 3 average viewers over 30 days
- Enable Bits: Turn on Bits cheering in the Creator Dashboard under Settings > Affiliate/Partner > Bits & Cheering
- Complete tax information: Provide required tax documentation for payouts
Non-Affiliates cannot receive Bits, which is one of the key benefits of reaching Affiliate status.
Twitch Bits Pricing: What Do Bits Cost?
Twitch offers several Bit bundles at different price points. The more Bits you purchase at once, the better the value per Bit. According to Twitch's Bits purchase page, here are the current pricing tiers:
| Bit Bundle | Price (USD) | Cost Per Bit | Savings vs. 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Bits | $1.40 | $0.0140 | — |
| 500 Bits | $7.00 | $0.0140 | 0% |
| 1,500 Bits | $19.95 | $0.0133 | 5% |
| 5,000 Bits | $64.40 | $0.0129 | 8% |
| 10,000 Bits | $126.00 | $0.0126 | 10% |
| 25,000 Bits | $280.00 | $0.0112 | 20% |
Important Note on Pricing
Bit prices vary by region and currency. The prices above are for US purchases. International viewers may see different pricing due to local currency conversion and regional pricing adjustments. Mobile purchases through iOS or Android apps may also have slightly higher prices due to app store fees.
How Much Do Streamers Earn From Bits?
One of the most attractive aspects of Bits for streamers is the revenue model. Unlike subscriptions where Twitch takes a significant cut, Bits offer a much simpler arrangement:
The Streamer's Share
Streamers receive exactly $0.01 (one cent) per Bit. This means:
- 100 Bits = $1.00 for the streamer
- 1,000 Bits = $10.00 for the streamer
- 10,000 Bits = $100.00 for the streamer
There is no revenue split—streamers keep 100% of the Bit value. Twitch makes its profit from the markup when viewers purchase Bits (viewers pay $1.40 for 100 Bits, but the streamer receives $1.00).
Bits vs. Subscriptions: Revenue Comparison
When comparing Bits to subscription revenue, Bits often provide better returns per dollar spent by the viewer:
| Support Method | Viewer Pays | Streamer Receives | Streamer's Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Bits | $7.00 | $5.00 | 71% |
| Tier 1 Sub (Affiliate) | $4.99 | $2.50 | 50% |
| Tier 1 Sub (Partner) | $4.99 | $3.50* | 70% |
*Partner sub splits vary based on individual contracts; 70% is available for Partners with premium deals.
Use our Bits Revenue Calculator to estimate your potential earnings from Bits-enabled extensions and cheering activity.
How to Get Free Bits on Twitch
Twitch offers several legitimate ways for viewers to earn Bits without spending money. While these methods provide smaller amounts than purchasing, they're a great way for viewers to support streamers on a budget.
Watch Ads for Bits
The most common free Bits method is watching advertisements through Twitch's "Get Bits" feature:
- How to access: Click the Bits icon in any chat and select "Get Bits" > "Watch Ad"
- Earnings: Typically 5-10 Bits per 30-second ad
- Limits: Daily and session limits apply; availability varies by region
- Requirements: Must have JavaScript enabled and ad blockers disabled
Note that ad availability varies significantly by region—viewers in the US typically have more ad inventory than other countries.
Twitch RPG Surveys
Twitch RPG (Research Power Group) occasionally offers surveys and research activities that reward participants with Bits:
- How to access: Visit Twitch RPG and sign up with your Twitch account
- Earnings: Varies by survey length; typically 100-500 Bits for completed surveys
- Availability: Not always available; invitations are sent via email
- Requirements: Must meet demographic criteria for specific research projects
Prime Gaming and Promotional Events
Occasionally, Twitch offers Bits through promotional campaigns:
- Prime Gaming: Amazon Prime members sometimes receive free Bits as a promotional bonus
- Twitch Events: Special events like TwitchCon or platform anniversaries may include Bit giveaways
- Partner Promotions: Brand partnerships occasionally include Bit rewards for specific actions
These promotions are irregular, so follow Twitch's official social media for announcements.
Cheermotes: The Visual Language of Bits
When viewers cheer with Bits, animated emotes called "cheermotes" appear in chat. The size, color, and animation intensity of cheermotes correspond to the Bit amount, creating a visual celebration system.
Standard Cheermote Tiers
Twitch's default cheermotes follow this tier structure:
| Bit Amount | Color | Animation |
|---|---|---|
| 1-99 Bits | Gray | Simple bounce |
| 100-999 Bits | Purple | Sparkle effect |
| 1,000-4,999 Bits | Green | Enhanced sparkle |
| 5,000-9,999 Bits | Blue | Electric effects |
| 10,000-24,999 Bits | Red | Fire effects |
| 25,000-49,999 Bits | Gold | Radiant glow |
| 50,000-74,999 Bits | Teal | Cosmic effects |
| 75,000-99,999 Bits | Orange | Solar flare |
| 100,000+ Bits | Rainbow | Maximum effects |
Custom and Partner Cheermotes
Twitch Partners can create custom cheermotes that replace the standard animations:
- Channel Cheermotes: Partners can upload branded cheermotes that match their channel theme
- Game-Specific Cheermotes: Some games have official cheermotes (League of Legends, Overwatch, etc.)
- Event Cheermotes: Special limited-time cheermotes during Twitch events
Viewers can choose which cheermote style to use when cheering in a channel that has multiple options available.
Bits in Extensions: Interactive Monetization
One of the most innovative uses of Bits is through Twitch Extensions. Bits in Extensions (BiX) allows extension developers to create paid features that viewers can unlock using Bits, creating interactive monetization opportunities beyond simple cheering.
How Bits in Extensions Work
According to Twitch's Extension development documentation, developers can integrate Bits into their extensions in several ways:
- Products: Viewers can purchase virtual items, effects, or actions using Bits
- Unlocks: Bits can unlock premium features or content within the extension
- Actions: Viewers trigger real-time effects on the stream by spending Bits
- Upgrades: In-game progression or cosmetics in extension-based games
Revenue Split for Bits in Extensions
Unlike regular cheering where streamers keep 100%, Bits spent in extensions are split between the streamer and the extension developer:
- Developer share: 80% of the Bit value goes to the extension developer
- Streamer share: 20% of the Bit value goes to the streamer hosting the extension
- Example: If a viewer spends 100 Bits on an extension feature, the developer receives $0.80 and the streamer receives $0.20
This revenue share model incentivizes developers to create compelling extensions while ensuring streamers benefit from hosting them.
Popular Bits-Enabled Extensions
Many of the most popular Twitch extensions incorporate Bits functionality:
- Blerp: Viewers spend Bits to play sound effects during streams
- Stream Avatars: Bits unlock premium avatars and animations
- Game extensions: Many extension games use Bits for in-game purchases
- Overlay extensions: Bits trigger visual effects or overlays on the stream
Bits Leaderboards and Badges
Twitch includes gamification elements to encourage Bit usage and recognize top supporters.
Channel Bits Leaderboard
Each channel has a Bits leaderboard that tracks the top supporters:
- All-Time: Displays the top 3 Bit cheerers across the channel's history
- Weekly/Monthly: Some streamers highlight periodic leaderboards
- Recognition: Top cheerers often receive special shoutouts or perks
Streamers can enable or disable the leaderboard display in their channel settings.
Bits Badges
Viewers earn progressive badges based on their total Bits cheered in a channel:
| Total Bits | Badge Level |
|---|---|
| 1+ Bits | Level 1 Badge |
| 100+ Bits | Level 2 Badge |
| 1,000+ Bits | Level 3 Badge |
| 5,000+ Bits | Level 4 Badge |
| 10,000+ Bits | Level 5 Badge |
| 25,000+ Bits | Level 6 Badge |
These badges are channel-specific, so dedicated supporters can show their commitment to individual streamers.
Strategies for Streamers: Encouraging Bits Without Being Pushy
While Bits can be a significant revenue source, aggressive solicitation can damage viewer relationships. Here are organic ways to encourage Bit usage:
Create Bit-Triggered Incentives
- Sound alerts: Set up custom sound effects that trigger at certain Bit thresholds
- Bit games: Create channel point or Bit-based games (wheel spins, polls, challenges)
- Recognition: Acknowledge cheers naturally during stream without excessive focus
- Extensions: Use Bits-enabled extensions that provide genuine value for the Bits spent
Communicate Bit Goals Authentically
- Equipment upgrades: Share genuine goals like "saving for a new microphone"
- Stream improvements: Connect Bits to tangible improvements viewers will benefit from
- Transparency: Be honest about how Bits support your streaming journey
- Gratitude: Express genuine appreciation without making viewers feel obligated
Optimize Bit Visibility
- Enable the Bits button: Ensure the Bits icon is visible in your chat
- Leaderboard display: Show the Bits leaderboard to create friendly competition
- Alert settings: Configure appropriate alert thresholds that don't overwhelm the stream
- Bit hype trains: Participate in Twitch's hype train feature which includes Bit contributions
Bits vs. Other Monetization Methods
Understanding how Bits fit into the broader Twitch monetization ecosystem helps streamers develop balanced revenue strategies.
Comprehensive Comparison
| Feature | Bits | Subscriptions | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamer's Share | 100% | 50-70% | ~55% |
| Payment Type | One-time | Recurring | Per view |
| Viewer Control | High | Medium | Low |
| Chargeback Risk | None | Low | None |
| Predictability | Variable | Stable | Variable |
| Minimum Amount | 1 Bit ($0.01) | $4.99 | N/A |
For a detailed breakdown of Twitch ad revenue, including CPM rates and optimization strategies, check our dedicated advertising guide.
Common Questions About Twitch Bits
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Bits that aren't covered above:
Do Bits Expire?
No, purchased Bits do not expire. Once you buy or earn Bits, they remain in your account until you spend them. However, Bits earned through special promotions may have different terms, so always check the promotion details.
Can I Refund Bits?
Twitch generally does not refund Bit purchases. Once Bits are bought, they're considered final. This is partly why streamers face no chargeback risk—the refund protection is on Twitch's side of the transaction.
Can I Transfer Bits Between Accounts?
No, Bits cannot be transferred between accounts or given to other users directly. The only way to "give" someone Bits is to cheer in their channel as a streamer, which converts your Bits into their revenue.
Are Bits Available Worldwide?
Bits purchasing is available in most countries, though some regions have restrictions or different payment methods. Free Bits through ads are primarily available in the United States, with limited availability elsewhere.
Conclusion
Twitch Bits represent a powerful, flexible monetization tool that benefits both viewers and streamers. For viewers, Bits offer a fun, visible way to support creators with animated celebrations. For streamers, Bits provide 100% revenue retention with zero chargeback risk—making them one of the most streamer-friendly income sources on the platform.
The integration of Bits into extensions opens up creative monetization possibilities beyond simple cheering, allowing streamers to offer interactive experiences that viewers actually want to spend on. Combined with subscriptions, ad revenue, and sponsorships, Bits form an essential component of a diversified Twitch income strategy.
Whether you're just reaching Affiliate status or you're an established Partner, optimizing your Bits strategy—through extensions, incentives, and authentic engagement—can meaningfully increase your streaming revenue while creating a better experience for your community.
Related Resources
- Bits Revenue Calculator - Estimate your earnings from Bits-enabled extensions
- Subscription Revenue Calculator - Compare sub revenue to Bits earnings
- Affiliate vs Partner Guide - Understanding Twitch's creator tiers
- Most Used Twitch Extensions - Find popular Bits-enabled extensions
