OBS Bitrate Calculator
Get the exact bitrate to paste into OBS Studio. Pick your resolution, frame rate, and content type — the calculator returns a ready-to-use number plus the file size your recording will produce.
Settings
Live · no signupAdvanced optionsH.264 (AVC) · Medium · 128 kbps audio
Results
1920×1080 @ 60fpsVideo Bitrate Range
Use these settings in OBS
OBS → Settings → Output → Streaming · one-click copy all below
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 (starter) | 2,500–3,500 Kbps | Safe on almost any connection |
| 720p 60fps | 3,500–5,000 Kbps | Good for fast games on limited upload |
| 1080p 30fps | 4,000–6,000 Kbps | Best quality/bandwidth balance for IRL |
| 1080p 60fps | 6,000–8,000 Kbps | 6,000 cap on Twitch; higher OK on YouTube/Kick |
| 1440p 60fps | 9,000–15,000 Kbps | YouTube only; use HEVC/AV1 if available |
How This Calculator Works
OBS Studio asks for a video bitrate in Kbps under Settings → Output → Streaming, but it never tells you what number to use. Too low and your stream looks blocky during action; too high and viewers on slower connections buffer — or your own upload can't keep up and OBS drops frames.
This calculator uses a bits-per-pixel model: it scales a proven 1080p30 H.264 baseline by your resolution, frame rate (sub-linearly, because inter-frame compression reuses data between similar frames), codec efficiency, and content motion. Fast shooters need roughly 20% more bitrate than the baseline, while Just Chatting streams can drop 20% with no visible loss.
Enter your upload speed in the optional field to check headroom: as a rule, your stream should never use more than 70–80% of your measured upload bandwidth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bitrate should I use in OBS for 1080p 60fps?
For 1080p 60fps with H.264, use 6,000 Kbps on Twitch (the non-partner cap) or 8,000–9,000 Kbps on YouTube and Kick. Set Rate Control to CBR and audio to 128–192 Kbps.
Where do I enter the bitrate in OBS?
Open OBS → Settings → Output. In Simple mode, set Video Bitrate directly. In Advanced mode, choose your encoder under the Streaming tab, set Rate Control to CBR, and enter the bitrate in Kbps.
Should I use CBR or VBR in OBS for streaming?
Use CBR for live streaming — platforms expect a constant, predictable data rate and CBR prevents quality spikes from overwhelming your upload. VBR is better for local recordings where file size matters more than a stable rate.
Why does OBS drop frames even with the recommended bitrate?
Dropped frames almost always mean your real upload speed can't sustain the bitrate. Run a speed test, enter your upload in the calculator's connection check, and keep your total bitrate below 70–80% of the measured speed.