Best OBS Settings for Streaming & Recording
Use CBR for live streaming, CQP/CRF for local recording, a 2-second keyframe interval, and a bitrate that matches your platform and upload speed. This hub links every OBS bitrate, encoder, recording, and game-specific guide on StreamerSize.
Quick OBS settings table
| Use case | Bitrate | Rate control | Encoder | Headroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch 1080p 60fps | 6,000 Kbps | CBR | NVENC H.264 or x264 | 10+ Mbps |
| YouTube 1080p 60fps | 9,000–12,000 Kbps | CBR | NVENC H.264, HEVC, or AV1 | 15–18 Mbps |
| Kick 1080p 60fps | 6,000–8,000 Kbps | CBR | NVENC H.264 or x264 | 10–12 Mbps |
| Local recording | Quality-based | CQP/CRF | HEVC or AV1 | Disk speed matters |
OBS Bitrate Calculator
Calculate bitrate, file size, and upload speed for your OBS setup.
Upload Speed Check
Check whether your internet can handle Twitch, YouTube, or Kick settings.
OBS Setup Wizard
Answer a few questions and get recommended OBS settings.