What bitrate to use when multistreaming to several platforms
Short answer: when one stream goes to several platforms, the strictest platform sets the bitrate. For Twitch + YouTube + Kick, that's 1080p60 at 6000 kbps, CBR, 2 second keyframes. If you also stream to LinkedIn, drop to 30 fps.
Each platform's limits, side by side
| Platform | Max resolution | Bitrate at 1080p60 | Codecs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | 1080p60 (1440p with Enhanced Broadcasting) | 6000 kbps (top of Twitch's table) | H.264 |
| YouTube | 2160p60 (4K) | 6000–17000 kbps | H.264, HEVC, AV1 |
| Kick | 1080p60 | up to 8000 kbps | H.264 only |
| 1080p60 | 4500–9000 kbps | H.264 | |
| 1080p30 | up to 6000 kbps (30 fps) | H.264 | |
| TikTok | vertical 1080×1920, 30 fps | no official number (2000–4500 kbps common) | H.264 |
Every platform here accepts CBR and a 2 second keyframe interval, so that's the safe base. Details for each: Twitch, YouTube, Kick, TikTok.
How to pick the bitrate
- List the platforms you stream to.
- Take the lowest top limit among them. Twitch at 6000 kbps is usually the lowest of the big ones. YouTube's 1080p60 range starts at 6000, so 6000 kbps sits at the edge of both, and works on both.
- Check your upload. Your upload should be at least about 1.3× the stream (bitrate plus audio). See how much upload speed you need.
- Keep audio at 128–160 kbps AAC. 160 kbps is Twitch's max; 128 kbps is YouTube's recommendation.
Common combinations
| You stream to | Use |
|---|---|
| Twitch + YouTube | 1080p60, 6000 kbps |
| Twitch + Kick | 1080p60, 6000 kbps |
| YouTube + Kick | 1080p60, 8000 kbps |
| Twitch + YouTube + Kick + Facebook | 1080p60, 6000 kbps |
| Any of the above + LinkedIn | 1080p30, 4500–6000 kbps |
What about TikTok?
TikTok's bitrate is easy to fit, the shape is not. TikTok is vertical (9:16) and the others are horizontal (16:9). One stream can only have one shape, so with a single stream you choose which platform gets the right one. Streamers who care about both send TikTok its own vertical stream from OBS.
Can each platform get a different bitrate?
Only if your PC encodes the stream more than once. OBS can do that with extra outputs (for example a multi-output plugin, or Twitch's Enhanced Broadcasting), but each version costs encoder time on your PC and its full bitrate on your upload. Sending YouTube 4K and Twitch 1080p this way means your upload carries both.
A relay that takes one stream from OBS and copies it to every platform keeps your upload at one stream's worth, but every platform gets the same bitrate and resolution, so the rule above applies.
Common questions
What bitrate should I use to stream to Twitch and YouTube at the same time?
6000 kbps at 1080p60. It's the top of Twitch's recommended range and the bottom of YouTube's, so it works well on both.
Can I send 4K to YouTube and 1080p to Twitch from one stream?
No. One stream has one resolution and bitrate. You need OBS to encode two versions, which needs a strong GPU and an upload that carries both.
Sources: Twitch, YouTube, Kick, Facebook, LinkedIn. TikTok publishes no encoder settings. Checked October 2026.