Streaming
Upload Speed Calculator
Enter your measured upload speed to see the highest bitrate you can safely stream and which resolutions fit. Or work backwards from a bitrate to the upload it needs.
Upload speed ⇄ stream bitrate
Run a speed test on the computer you stream from, ideally over Ethernet.
Maximum video bitrate
—kbps
StreamHeadroom
- Total stream
- —
- Headroom
- —
What your upload can carry
Comfortable fits the recommended bitrate · Tight fits the acceptable range · Too much needs more upload
| Resolution | 30 fps | 60 fps |
|---|---|---|
| 360p · 640×360 | — | — |
| 480p · 854×480 | — | — |
| 720p · 1280×720 | — | — |
| 1080p · 1920×1080 | — | — |
| 1440p · 2560×1440 | — | — |
| 4K · 3840×2160 | — | — |
Upload needed for common bitrates
Video plus audio, using at most 75% of the connection.
| Video | Audio | Upload needed |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500 kbps | 128 kbps | 3.5 Mbps |
| 4,500 kbps | 160 kbps | 6.21 Mbps |
| 6,000 kbps | 160 kbps | 8.21 Mbps |
| 8,000 kbps | 160 kbps | 10.9 Mbps |
| 12,000 kbps | 192 kbps | 16.3 Mbps |
| 20,000 kbps | 192 kbps | 26.9 Mbps |
Why leave headroom?
A speed test measures a short burst to a nearby server. Your stream needs that bandwidth continuously, to a server that may be further away, while other devices, cloud backups and game downloads share the same line. When the stream asks for more than the connection can deliver, the encoder drops frames and viewers see stutter. Keeping the stream to about 75% of the measured upload absorbs normal dips. On a busy shared connection, use 50–60%.
Mbps (megabits per second) is what speed tests report. Encoders ask for kbps: 1 Mbps = 1,000 kbps. Need another unit? Try the bitrate converter.
Frequently asked questions
How much upload speed do I need to stream?
Add your video and audio bitrate, then make sure that total is no more than about 75% of your measured upload speed. A 6,000 kbps video plus 160 kbps audio needs roughly 8.2 Mbps of upload.
Why not use 100% of my upload speed?
Speed tests report short bursts; real upload dips from moment to moment, and other devices on your network use it too. Leaving headroom prevents dropped frames and buffering for your viewers.
Is upload speed the same as download speed?
No. Most home connections (cable, DSL, some fixed wireless) have much less upload than download. Streaming depends only on upload, so check the upload figure in your speed test.
Does Wi-Fi reduce my usable upload?
Often, yes. Wi-Fi adds variability and packet loss that a speed test may not show. A wired Ethernet connection is the most reliable way to stream at a high bitrate.