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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Bitrate, 720p at 30 fps (H.264) | 3,000 Kbps minimum, 8,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Bitrate, 720p at 60 fps (H.264) | 3,000 Kbps minimum, 8,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Bitrate, 1080p at 30 fps (H.264) | 5,000 Kbps minimum, 14,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Bitrate, 1080p at 60 fps (H.264) | 6,000 Kbps minimum, 17,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Bitrate, 1440p at 30 fps (H.264) | 7,000 Kbps minimum, 21,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Bitrate, 1440p at 60 fps (H.264) | 8,000 Kbps minimum, 34,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Bitrate, 4K at 30 fps (H.264) | 11,000 Kbps minimum, 42,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Bitrate, 4K at 60 fps (H.264) | 14,000 Kbps minimum, 50,000 Kbps recommended | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Audio bitrate | 128 Kbps for stereo, 384 Kbps for 5.1 surround | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | Keyframe interval | 2 seconds recommended, 4 seconds at most | YouTube Help: live encoder settings | |
| YouTube | First live stream | Enabling can take up to 24 hours | YouTube Help: live stream with an encoder |
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.