Understanding Stream Bitrate and Quality
Bitrate is the amount of data your stream sends per second, measured in Kilobits per second (Kbps). Higher bitrate means more data, which translates to better video quality—but only if your internet connection can handle it. According to Twitch's official broadcasting guidelines, finding the right balance between quality and accessibility is crucial for stream success.
The relationship between bitrate, resolution, and framerate is fundamental to streaming. You need enough bitrate to support your chosen resolution and framerate, or your stream will look pixelated, especially during fast motion. Our Enhanced Broadcasting guide covers advanced encoding options like AV1 and HEVC that can improve quality at lower bitrates.
Twitch Bitrate Recommendations by Resolution
| Resolution | Framerate | Recommended Bitrate | Minimum Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 60 fps | 6000 Kbps | 9+ Mbps |
| 1080p | 30 fps | 4500 Kbps | 7+ Mbps |
| 936p | 60 fps | 5000-5500 Kbps | 8+ Mbps |
| 720p | 60 fps | 4500 Kbps | 7+ Mbps |
| 720p | 30 fps | 3000 Kbps | 5+ Mbps |
These recommendations are based on OBS Project documentation and real-world streaming best practices. Note that fast-paced content (FPS games, racing) requires higher bitrates than slow-paced content (puzzle games, Just Chatting) at the same resolution.
Choosing the Right Encoder
Hardware Encoders (Recommended for Most Streamers)
NVIDIA NVENC is the most popular hardware encoder and is built into all modern NVIDIA graphics cards. According to NVIDIA's Video Codec SDK documentation, NVENC produces quality comparable to x264 medium preset while using minimal GPU resources. RTX 40-series cards support AV1 encoding, which offers even better quality at lower bitrates.
AMD AMF (VCE) is AMD's hardware encoder, available on RX 5000-series and newer cards. While historically considered slightly behind NVENC, recent improvements have made it competitive. RX 7000-series cards support AV1 encoding.
Intel Quick Sync uses Intel's integrated graphics for encoding. It's useful if you're running an Intel CPU with integrated graphics alongside your dedicated GPU, as it doesn't impact your main GPU's performance.
Software Encoder (x264)
x264 is a CPU-based encoder that offers the best quality per bitrate—but at significant CPU cost. Only use x264 if you have a powerful multi-core CPU (8+ cores) and aren't playing CPU-intensive games. For most streamers, hardware encoding is the better choice.
Why Upload Speed Matters
Your upload speed determines the maximum stable bitrate you can maintain. The general rule is to use no more than 60-70% of your actual upload speed for streaming, leaving headroom for:
- Network fluctuations - Internet speeds vary throughout the day
- Background processes - Game updates, cloud syncs, other devices
- Network overhead - TCP/IP protocol overhead reduces effective bandwidth
- Stability buffer - Dropped frames hurt viewer experience more than slightly lower bitrate
Wired Ethernet connections are strongly recommended over WiFi for streaming. Even WiFi 6 can experience interference and latency spikes that cause dropped frames. If you must use WiFi, ensure strong signal strength and minimal interference from other devices.
Transcoding and Viewer Accessibility
Transcoding allows viewers to select lower quality options (720p, 480p, 360p) if they can't handle your source quality. This is crucial for viewers on mobile data or slower internet connections.
- Partners - Always have transcoding enabled
- Affiliates - Get transcoding when available (not guaranteed)
- Non-Affiliates - Rarely get transcoding options
If you don't have guaranteed transcoding, consider streaming at 720p60 with 4000-4500 Kbps. This provides good quality while remaining accessible to viewers who can't handle higher bitrates. Reaching Partner status guarantees transcoding and unlocks higher bitrate options.
Common Streaming Quality Issues
Pixelation During Fast Motion
If your stream looks blocky during action scenes but clear during still moments, you likely need more bitrate for your resolution. Solutions include lowering resolution to 720p, increasing bitrate if bandwidth allows, or using a better encoder preset (slower = higher quality).
Dropped Frames
Dropped frames indicate your upload connection can't keep up with your bitrate. Check your connection with Twitch Inspector during streaming. Solutions include lowering bitrate, using wired Ethernet, or contacting your ISP about upload speed issues.
Encoding Overload
If OBS shows "Encoding overloaded" warnings, your CPU/GPU can't encode fast enough. For hardware encoding, use a faster preset. For x264, switch to hardware encoding or upgrade your CPU.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bitrate should I use for Twitch streaming?
For Twitch, the recommended bitrate depends on your resolution: 1080p60 requires 6000 Kbps, 1080p30 needs 4500 Kbps, 720p60 uses 4500 Kbps, and 720p30 works well at 3000 Kbps. Twitch's maximum bitrate is 8500 Kbps for Partners with Enhanced Broadcasting, and 6000 Kbps for most streamers.
How much upload speed do I need for Twitch?
You should have at least 1.5x your target bitrate in upload speed for stable streaming. For 1080p60 at 6000 Kbps, you need at least 9 Mbps upload. For 720p60 at 4500 Kbps, you need at least 7 Mbps. Always leave headroom for network fluctuations.
Should I use x264 or NVENC for streaming?
NVENC (NVIDIA) is recommended for most streamers because it offloads encoding to your GPU, leaving your CPU free for games. x264 produces slightly better quality at the same bitrate but uses significant CPU power. Use x264 only if you have a powerful CPU (8+ cores) and aren't playing CPU-intensive games.
What is the maximum bitrate for Twitch?
Twitch's standard maximum bitrate is 6000 Kbps. Partners with Enhanced Broadcasting enabled can stream up to 8500 Kbps with AV1 or HEVC encoding. Going above these limits may cause transcoding issues and isn't recommended for non-Partners.
Why is my stream pixelated or blurry?
Pixelation usually indicates insufficient bitrate for your resolution, especially during fast motion. Solutions include: lowering resolution to 720p, increasing bitrate if your upload allows, using a better encoder preset, or reducing in-game motion complexity. Fast-paced games require higher bitrates than slow-paced content.
Does 720p look bad on Twitch?
No, 720p60 is actually the most recommended resolution for streamers without guaranteed transcoding. It looks sharp on most screens, requires less bitrate than 1080p, and ensures viewers on slower connections can watch without buffering. Many successful streamers use 720p60.
