Pick your resolution, frame rate and platform to get the recommended video bitrate, audio bitrate, total, and the upload speed you actually need. Works for YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Kick and any RTMP destination.
Use CBR (constant bitrate) for live streaming. Upload figures include headroom so the stream stays stable.
Stream this 24/7 without a PCUpload once, paste your stream key, and StreamZop keeps it live around the clock with automatic restarts.
Your ideal bitrate depends mostly on resolution and frame rate. Higher numbers look sharper but demand more upload speed and a more stable connection. These are the recommended ranges for H.264, the codec every live platform accepts.
| Resolution | Frame rate | Video bitrate | Upload speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p | 30 fps | 1,500 – 4,000 kbps | 6 Mbps+ |
| 720p | 60 fps | 2,250 – 6,000 kbps | 9 Mbps+ |
| 1080p | 30 fps | 3,000 – 6,000 kbps | 9 Mbps+ |
| 1080p | 60 fps | 4,500 – 9,000 kbps | 14 Mbps+ |
| 1440p | 60 fps | 9,000 – 18,000 kbps | 27 Mbps+ |
| 2160p (4K) | 60 fps | 20,000 – 51,000 kbps | 77 Mbps+ |
Your upload speed should comfortably beat your total bitrate — aim for about 1.5× as a buffer. A 1080p60 stream at 9,000 kbps is roughly 9 Mbps, so a 20 Mbps upload is very safe. Run a speed test to confirm yours.
Always use CBR (constant bitrate) for live streaming. It keeps a steady data rate that ingest servers and players handle reliably. Save VBR for recorded files where you optimise for size.
Once you know your settings, the next step is getting the stream live and keeping it there. See our YouTube live encoder settings guide, or how to get your stream key.
It depends on your resolution and frame rate. As a rule of thumb: 720p is around 2,500–4,000 kbps, 1080p30 around 4,500–6,000 kbps, 1080p60 around 6,000–9,000 kbps, and 4K around 20,000–51,000 kbps. Use the calculator above to get an exact number plus the upload speed you need.
Yes. 6,000 kbps is the sweet spot for 1080p at 30fps and a solid choice for 1080p60. It is not too high — many platforms (like Twitch for non-partners) actually cap you at around 6,000 kbps, so it is the practical maximum there.
For 4K (2160p) live streaming, aim for 20,000–51,000 kbps (20–51 Mbps). YouTube supports the full range; most other platforms do not accept 4K ingest. Newer codecs like HEVC or AV1 can hit the same quality at 35–45% lower bitrate.
Yes, easily. Even at the top of the 4K range (about 51 Mbps of video), a 100 Mbps upload connection has plenty of headroom. You do not need 300 Mbps — your upload speed only needs to comfortably exceed your total bitrate, with roughly 1.5× headroom for stability.
Your upload speed should be at least about 1.5× your total bitrate (video + audio). For example, 1080p60 at 9,000 kbps is roughly 9 Mbps, so a 20 Mbps upload is very comfortable. 35–40 Mbps handles most 4K streams. Run a speed test to check your actual upload speed.
Add your video bitrate and audio bitrate to get your total bitrate, then make sure your upload speed comfortably exceeds it. The calculator above does this for you: pick your resolution, frame rate, platform and codec, and it returns the recommended video bitrate, audio bitrate, total, and the upload speed you need.
Use CBR (constant bitrate) for live streaming. It keeps a steady data rate that ingest servers and viewers' players handle reliably. VBR is better for recorded files where you optimise for size. Every live platform recommends CBR.
No. StreamZop streams your uploaded video to YouTube and any RTMP destination 24/7 and handles the encoding for you, so your channel stays live around the clock at the right settings without a PC or OBS running.
Upload once, paste your stream key, and StreamZop keeps it live around the clock with automatic restarts.