Free tool by DCAST
OBS Settings Calculator
Get recommended bitrate, resolution, and encoder for OBS based on your upload speed and platform.
Inputs
Use 70–80% of your upload speed for stable streaming.
Usable bitrate: 6000 kbps (75% of upload, capped by Twitch (6,000 kbps max)).
Recommended OBS settings
- Resolution: 1920×1080 (1080p)
- Frame rate: 60 fps
- Bitrate: 6000 kbps (use CBR)
- Keyframe interval: 2 sec
- Encoder: NVIDIA NVENC (GPU)
Based on 10 Mbps upload using 75% for stream. Adjust in OBS Output settings.
How the OBS settings calculator works
Enter your upload speed in Mbps and choose your platform (Twitch, YouTube, Kick, Facebook). The calculator reserves 75% of upload for the stream and caps by platform limits, then suggests resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and keyframe interval. Content type (gaming, talking head, static) adjusts the bitrate. Use the bitrate calculator for file size and the duration calculator for encoding time.
- Q:Why use 75% of upload speed for streaming?
- A:Leaving headroom (about 25%) helps avoid buffering when upload fluctuates. OBS and the network share the connection; games, downloads, or other traffic can cause spikes. Using 70–80% is a common recommendation from Twitch and streamers.
- Q:What bitrate for 1080p 60fps?
- A:For fast motion (gaming), 4,500–6,000 kbps is typical. Twitch caps at 6,000 kbps. YouTube allows higher. The calculator picks resolution and bitrate from your upload and platform limits; for talking head or static content it suggests lower bitrates.