Internet Speed Requirements For Streaming On Twitch - StreamScheme (2024)

Before you dive into buying new stream equipment, you may need to upgrade your internet plan in order to stream effectively. This post will cover what you need to know to increase your internet speed.

How Fast Does Twitch Upload Speed Need to Be?

The minimum upload speed needed for live-streaming is 1.6 Mbps for the lowest HD resolution and at 30 FPS. For high-resolution HD streams, you will need a minimum of 3-3.5 Mbps.

Twitch and other live-streaming platforms are still relatively new with growing audiences. While the platforms continue to improve, there are still many variances between them. A key example of this is that Twitch These include the maximum quality possible as well as the activity of their server. While certain elements may eventually become standard, for now, it is up to the broadcaster to figure out how to produce a quality show.

With so much competition for live-stream viewers, it is important to have good content and technical proficiency when it comes to your visuals and audio. Viewers won’t stick around for a video that is out of sync, has low resolution, or frequently skips or loses connection. Ensuring that you have quality internet is important.

Minimum Upload Speeds for Twitch

According to Twitch, for both NVENC and x264 it is recommended that you are able to upload at 6 Mbps (megabits per second) for high-quality, slow-motion 1080p at 60 FPS (frames per second). When you want to live-stream faster content (such as FPS games), you should either lower the definition a bit or opt for faster upload speed between 9-13 Mbps (anything more than 10 Mbps is generally unnecessary for home-use).

If you are in doubt about how much bandwidth you’ll need from your internet plan, you can useChow-Bryant’s calculator. With it, you can test several variables and see which adjustments you’ll need to make in order for you to upload a smooth stream.

How to Check Your Internet’s Upload Speed for Streaming

The first thing you need to do when looking into your internet speed is to take a speed test. You can easily do this atspeedtest.net. This test typically takes less than thirty seconds and tests your ping, download speed, and upload speed. If you are experiencing Internet problems, it will give you some suggestions as to why.

Internet Speed Requirements For Streaming On Twitch - StreamScheme (1)

Figuring out your upload speed will tell you how high of video resolution you can upload while you broadcast. If the quality is low, you will want to troubleshoot possible issues or upgrade your Internet plan.

Alternately, you can test your bandwidth for Twitch usingTwitchTest. This program will test your speed specifically for the Twitch platform to ensure that you have the bandwidth you need for success.

Internet Speed for Streaming Twitch

The amount of bandwidth required to stream will depend on a number of factors. These include your content, the number of connections you make, and external activity. You may need to upgrade beyond the absolute minimum to ensure that your viewers receive a quality viewing experience.

At a minimum, you are uploading a video of you and your audio. Every addition to your stream will up the amount of bandwidth you need to ensure a clear and stable stream. This includes additional angles (or a pet cam), high graphics on a video game, and other internet users in your home. It is, therefore, a good idea to aim for higher internet speed.

Twitch Streaming with Starlink

There has been a lot of excitement around Starlink, the new internet service from SpaceX. Those who have been able to participate in the beta have had internet speeds fast enough to live-stream on Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming. Even people in remote places will be able to stream with zero or low-latency soon enough.

Use Fiber-Optic Internet for Streaming

Fiber-Optic Internet is better suited for online gamers, streamers, and people who use a lot of devices at once. If nothing else seems to work for you, see if Fiber-Optic Internet is available in your area. It could be well worth the investment.

How to Improve Your Internet Speed for Twitch

Make sure that no unnecessary applications are open on your devices connected to the internet. Ask other household members to not use the internet while you are broadcasting or get a separate plan specifically for your stream.

Your internet isn’t the only thing that affects the quality of your stream. You should also ensure that your hardware is up to the job.

Internet Speed Requirements For Streaming On Twitch - StreamScheme (2)

Internet Speed Requirements For Streaming On Twitch - StreamScheme (2024)

FAQs

Internet Speed Requirements For Streaming On Twitch - StreamScheme? ›

The minimum recommended internet speed for streaming on Twitch is 3 Mbps for a stable stream with a resolution of 720p at 30 frames per second. However, to stream at 1080p with 60 frames per second, a higher internet speed of at least 6 Mbps is recommended.

How fast does your internet need to be to stream on Twitch? ›

The bottom line

Professional gamers need an internet connection that guarantees speeds at least 6-8 Mbps to give fans a high-quality streaming experience on Twitch, with higher speeds recommended for higher quality settings and bandwidth overhead.

Is 100 Mbps good for Twitch streaming? ›

Is 100 Mbps WiFi good? 100 Mbps WiFi is adequate for internet basics, like streaming videos, light online gaming, video conferencing, downloading files and working from home. If you are more than a light internet user, consider a higher speed connection like 300 Mbps, or fast speeds like 600 Mbps and 1500 Mbps.

Is 500 Mbps good for streaming on Twitch? ›

Is 500Mbps Good for Streaming? 500 Mbps provides more than enough bandwidth for streaming in 4K. Standard HD streaming requires about 5 Mbps, while 4K streaming demands about 25 Mbps per stream.

Can I stream on Twitch with 1 Mbps? ›

How much internet does streaming on twitch use? higher quality live streams will use 4.5-6 Mbps on 1080p at 60fps/30fps settings and the lower quality stream qualities will use 0.4-1.2 Mbps at 480p, 360p, and 240p video quality options.

What is the minimum Internet speed for gaming and streaming? ›

To play online games seamlessly without disruption, a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps is recommended by experts. However, for the ideal gaming experience, broadband speeds of 100 Mbps or above will allow lag-free 4K gaming, support multiple connected devices, and enable smooth multiplayer experiences.

What is a bad bitrate for Twitch? ›

Bitrate Spikes

While the average bitrate is around 3500 kbps, 4500 kbps spikes will cause viewers to buffer and experience issues. Also, very high bitrate spikes will cause persistent buffering for viewers. To avoid this, specify a constant bitrate or lower the bitrate.

What is a good bitrate for Twitch? ›

It's essential to balance the demands of video quality with the limitations of your upload bandwidth and the varying download capabilities of your audience. A bitrate between 3,000 to 6,000 Kbps is generally recommended for most streamers.

Why is my stream quality so bad on Twitch? ›

If your bitrate is too low for the resolution and framerate settings you've selected, you may find that your image quality suffers. Conversely, too high a bitrate may cause issues with buffering or dropped frames for your viewers, or with your own bandwidth.

What Wi-Fi do streamers use? ›

The best internet providers for gaming and streaming Comcast Xfinity, Google Fiber and Charter Spectrum top Forbes Home's best internet providers for gaming and streaming 2024 list.

How to stream on Twitch with bad internet? ›

Lower Streaming Settings

Adjust your streaming settings to optimize your livestream for a spotty Wi-Fi connection. Lower the video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate settings to reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted. This trade-off can help maintain a more stable stream, even with limited bandwidth.

Is 10 Mbps enough for streaming on Twitch? ›

Upload speed requirements for livestreaming across video platforms. We recommend having a minimum upload speed of 10 Mbps for livestreaming. On most platforms, this will give you a slight buffer to account for fluctuations in upload speed.

Is 30 Mbps good for streaming on Twitch? ›

For some users, 30 Mbps is a good upload speed to stream content. However, it isn't for everyone. At these speeds, streamers can comfortably upload 4K HD content at 60 FPS without worrying about buffering or other issues. This makes 30 Mbps a great choice for those working with ultra HD content.

Is 30 Mbps good for gaming? ›

The recommended internet connection speed for gaming: Download speed – 15-25 Mbps. Upload speed – 5 Mbps. Ping rate – Less than 50 ms.

Is 20 Mbps upload speed good for gaming? ›

Higher typical evening speeds mean there's less chance your speed will dip to low performance levels in the evening. An internet speed of above 20 Mbps is usually ideal for gaming – especially multiplayer gaming.

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