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·7 min read

How Much Upload Speed Do You Need for Streaming?

Your upload speed determines the maximum bitrate you can stream reliably. A good rule is to use only 70–75% of your available upload bandwidth for live streaming.

Quick answer table

Streaming SetupMinimum Upload SpeedComfortable Upload Speed
720p 30fps5 Mbps6–8 Mbps
720p 60fps7 Mbps8–10 Mbps
1080p 30fps8 Mbps10–12 Mbps
1080p 60fps10 Mbps12–20 Mbps
1440p 60fps18 Mbps20–30 Mbps
4K 30fps30 Mbps35–50 Mbps
4K 60fps45 Mbps50–75 Mbps

Why upload speed matters

If your bitrate is too high for your connection, your stream can drop frames, buffer, and become unstable.

Recommended upload speed by resolution

Use our bandwidth calculator together with the 1080p bitrate guide and 4K bitrate guide to choose a stable setup.

Try It Yourself

Use our free calculator to find the exact file size, bitrate, and storage needs for your streaming setup.

Open Calculator →

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