Kick Bitrate Calculator
Kick allows up to 8,000 Kbps — a third more than Twitch — which makes true high-quality 1080p 60fps possible. This calculator finds your best settings under Kick's limit and checks them against your upload speed.
Settings
Results
1920×1080 @ 60fpsVideo Bitrate Range
Use These Settings in OBS
OBS → Settings → Output → Streaming
Codec Comparison
| Codec | Bitrate | File Size | vs H.264 |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 (AVC)active | 12.13 Mbps | 5.08 GB | 100% |
| H.265 (HEVC) | 7.33 Mbps | 3.07 GB | 60% |
| VP9 | 7.33 Mbps | 3.07 GB | 60% |
| AV1 | 6.13 Mbps | 2.57 GB | 51% |
| ProRes 422 | 42.13 Mbps | 17.66 GB | 347% |
| ProRes 4444 | 60.13 Mbps | 25.20 GB | 496% |
Recommended Settings at a Glance
| Scenario | Video Bitrate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 720p 30fps | 3,000 Kbps | Minimum viable |
| 720p 60fps | 4,500 Kbps | Fast games on weak upload |
| 1080p 30fps | 5,000 Kbps | IRL and slower content |
| 1080p 60fps | 7,000–8,000 Kbps | Kick's sweet spot — better than Twitch allows |
How This Calculator Works
Kick's 8,000 Kbps ceiling is its quiet technical advantage over Twitch: at 1080p 60fps, the extra 2,000 Kbps is clearly visible in fast motion. If you simulcast, though, remember your OBS settings must satisfy the strictest platform — streaming both Twitch and Kick means living with Twitch's 6,000 Kbps.
Kick ingests standard RTMP with H.264, so OBS setup is identical to Twitch: Settings → Output → Streaming, Rate Control CBR, and the bitrate from this calculator. Use 7,000–8,000 Kbps for fast games at 1080p60 and 5,000–6,000 Kbps for slower content.
As always, your upload speed is the real constraint — an 8,000 Kbps stream (about 8.2 Mbps with audio) needs a measured upload of at least 11–12 Mbps to stay inside the safe 70–80% utilization band.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the max bitrate for Kick?
Kick allows up to 8,000 Kbps for most streamers — 2,000 Kbps more than Twitch's non-partner cap, which is a visible quality advantage at 1080p 60fps.
What bitrate should I use for Kick 1080p 60fps?
Use 7,000–8,000 Kbps for fast-motion games and 5,500–6,500 Kbps for slower content. Set Rate Control to CBR in OBS with 128–192 Kbps audio.
Can I use the same OBS settings for Kick and Twitch?
Yes, but if you simulcast you must respect the strictest limit — Twitch's 6,000 Kbps. If you stream Kick only, raise the bitrate to 8,000 Kbps for noticeably better quality.
What upload speed do I need for Kick at 8,000 Kbps?
At least 11–12 Mbps measured upload. The stream itself uses about 8.2 Mbps including audio, and you want to stay under 70–80% of your real upload speed.