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Start with your streaming platform’s settings
Choose the destination and ingest codec first, then match the platform’s bitrate guidance to your resolution and frame rate. Figures below reflect official platform guidance checked on October 3, 2026; consult the live documentation before relying on them because requirements can change.
YouTube Live
YouTube’s current live-ingestion table recommends H.264 at 12 Mbps for 1080p60 and 10 Mbps for 1080p30. It lists the same respective bitrates for AV1 and H.265 at those resolutions and frame rates. The full table includes different values for other combinations; select the row for the format you actually send. YouTube lists RTMP/RTMPS ingestion, H.264, H.265 and AV1, CBR, up to 60 fps, and a recommended two-second keyframe interval that should not exceed four seconds. See YouTube’s live encoder settings.
Twitch
Twitch’s example settings specify 6,000 kbps for 1080p60, 4,500 kbps for 1080p30 and 720p60, and 3,000 kbps for 720p30. The examples use CBR and a two-second keyframe interval, with x264 and NVENC configurations. These are Twitch examples, not YouTube recommendations. See Twitch’s Broadcasting Guidelines.
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| Destination | Resolution and frame rate | Recommended example bitrate | Rate control and keyframes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube, H.264 | 1080p60 | 12 Mbps | CBR; two-second keyframe interval recommended, do not exceed four seconds |
| YouTube, H.264 | 1080p30 | 10 Mbps | CBR; two-second keyframe interval recommended, do not exceed four seconds |
| Twitch | 1080p60 | 6,000 kbps | CBR; two-second keyframe interval |
| Twitch | 1080p30 | 4,500 kbps | CBR; two-second keyframe interval |
| Twitch | 720p60 | 4,500 kbps | CBR; two-second keyframe interval |
| Twitch | 720p30 | 3,000 kbps | CBR; two-second keyframe interval |
The two platforms’ 1080p60 examples differ substantially: YouTube recommends 12 Mbps for H.264, while Twitch’s example is 6,000 kbps. Do not apply one platform’s value to another.
How to choose a stable resolution and bitrate
Measure upload capacity and leave headroom
Check outbound upload speed, not just download speed. YouTube recommends leaving 20% capacity above the total stream bitrate; if you send primary and backup streams at once, account for both in that total. A speed result does not guarantee a stable connection during a live event, especially on a shared or variable network. See YouTube’s streaming setup guidance.
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For example, a 12 Mbps video stream already requires at least 15 Mbps of upload capacity to leave the recommended 20% headroom, before adding any simultaneous backup stream. This is a capacity calculation, not a guarantee against network fluctuations.
Lower the target when the system or connection struggles
Higher resolution generally needs more bitrate, while higher frame rates require more encoding work. If you see dropped frames, network warnings, or encoder overload, reduce resolution or frame rate rather than forcing a higher-quality target. Twitch specifically advises prioritizing a stable stream over quality settings that push the connection or cause dropped frames.
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Choose a compatible encoder
x264 encodes on the CPU and can put substantial load on it. NVENC uses a dedicated GPU encoder where available. Twitch’s guidance suggests starting with x264 veryfast if you use x264, then adjusting to what your system can sustain. Neither choice is best on every machine: watch CPU/GPU load and dropped frames during a representative test.
Set and verify the stream in OBS
OBS labels may vary by version and platform integration. Use your destination’s current requirements as the authority for codec, bitrate, frame rate, rate control and keyframe interval; the settings below translate those requirements into the relevant OBS fields.
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- Connect the destination: In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Select the platform/service or configure a custom RTMP server, then provide the server and stream key supplied by that platform. Treat the key as a password: do not show or share it, and reset it in the platform account if exposed.
- Choose output encoding: Open Settings > Output and set Output Mode to Advanced if needed to expose the streaming encoder options. Select an encoder supported by your platform and machine, such as x264 or a GPU encoder. Set the rate control to CBR.
- Set bitrate for the destination: Enter the bitrate matching the platform, resolution and frame rate. For the examples above, YouTube H.264 at 1080p60 uses 12,000 kbps in OBS; YouTube H.264 at 1080p30 uses 10,000 kbps. Twitch examples are 6,000 kbps for 1080p60, 4,500 kbps for 1080p30 or 720p60, and 3,000 kbps for 720p30.
- Set keyframes: In the encoder options, set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds. For YouTube, do not exceed four seconds.
- Set video size and frame rate: Open Settings > Video and choose an output resolution and FPS that match the platform’s selected bitrate row and your system’s capacity. Avoid upscaling a low-resolution source just to label the stream as higher resolution.
- Check audio and test: Confirm the intended audio source is active and meters respond. Run a private or otherwise appropriate test with movement and audio similar to the real stream; inspect the platform preview, stream-health indicators and messages before committing to a live event.
Test and monitor before and during the stream
A preset is only a starting point. YouTube recommends a test that includes representative movement and audio, then checking the preview, stream health and any messages. Twitch likewise emphasizes stability over pushing quality to the point of dropped frames or network limits.
- Check whether warnings point to network bandwidth, encoding performance or another platform-side issue; address the indicated bottleneck rather than changing every setting at once.
- Watch OBS’s dropped-frame and performance indicators alongside the platform’s stream-health view.
- Repeat the test on the network and machine you plan to use for the event. A test on a different connection does not validate the live setup.
Common problems and fixes
Stream drops or network-related warnings
Possible causes include insufficient upload headroom, a fluctuating connection, or bandwidth shared with other activity. Verify upload capacity, include a backup stream in the total if enabled, and lower bitrate or output resolution until the connection remains stable.
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OBS reports encoding lag or the game becomes sluggish
The encoder may be overloading available CPU or GPU resources. Try a hardware encoder if supported, or use a less demanding x264 preset such as veryfast as Twitch’s guidance suggests. If the load remains high, reduce frame rate or resolution and test again.
The stream looks soft or blocky despite matching the listed bitrate
Bitrate recommendations depend on platform, resolution, frame rate and codec. Confirm that the selected row matches the actual ingest format and that OBS is sending the intended output resolution and FPS. Fast-moving content can make a constrained bitrate more noticeable; if connection and encoding capacity allow, use the platform’s appropriate higher-quality option rather than borrowing another service’s bitrate.
The platform does not receive the stream
Confirm the selected service/server and stream key in OBS, check that the key is current, and verify that the platform is ready to receive the broadcast. If a key was exposed, replace it from the platform’s account settings.
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Quick Recap
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