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Twitch and YouTube streaming settings, with sources

Bitrate, resolution, audio and keyframe settings for Twitch and YouTube Live. Each row links to the platform's own page and shows when it was last checked.

Platform Rule Setting Source Checked
OBS Bitrate against upload speed Start at 75% of your upload speed OBS: Stream Connection Troubleshooting

A rule more than 90 days past its check carries a due chip and goes back for review. Platforms change these settings without notice, so the linked source always wins.

About this table

Recommended is not the same as allowed

Both platforms publish recommended settings. Twitch lists 6,000 Kbps for 1080p at 60 fps. YouTube gives a minimum and a recommended figure for each resolution. Neither page states a hard maximum for video bitrate.

Keyframes and audio differ

Twitch asks for a keyframe every 2 seconds. YouTube recommends 2 seconds and says not to go past 4. For audio, Twitch recommends 96 Kbps and caps AAC at 160 Kbps, while YouTube recommends 128 Kbps for stereo.

When a number looks wrong

Platforms change their settings without much notice. Open the source link on the row to read the current page, and trust that page over this table.