Free tool
Is my bitrate enough?
Pick your resolution, frame rate, codec and how much you move, then drag the bitrate. See how good the picture will be, where the sweet spot is, how much data it uses, and whether Twitch or Kick will take it.
How it will look
Where it's going
This is your max bitrate. With adaptive bitrate on, the app goes lower when your signal dips and back up when it recovers. The rating is a rule of thumb from bits per pixel, not a measurement of your video.
How the checker rates your bitrate
Bitrate on its own doesn't say much: 4,000 kbps is plenty for 720p and thin for 1080p at 60 fps. What matters is how many bits each pixel gets in each frame, known as bits per pixel. The checker works that out from your resolution and frame rate, then allows for two things:
- Codec. HEVC (H.265) gets about the same picture as H.264 from roughly 30% less bitrate.
- Motion. A still camera on someone talking needs far fewer bits than a phone swinging around while you walk, and driving or sport needs the most. Every part of the picture changes, so there's more to send.
That gives a rating from blocky to more than it needs. It's a rule of thumb, not a measurement: night scenes, rain and crowds need more than the rating suggests, and a clean daytime shot needs less.
Sweet spots for common settings
For walking around, which is most IRL streaming:
| Setting | H.264 | HEVC |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p, 30 fps | 4,500–9,000 kbps | 3,100–6,300 kbps |
| 1080p, 60 fps | 9,000–17,900 kbps | 6,300–12,500 kbps |
| 720p, 30 fps | 2,000–4,000 kbps | 1,400–2,800 kbps |
| 720p, 60 fps | 4,000–8,000 kbps | 2,800–5,600 kbps |
Two things stand out. 60 fps costs twice the bitrate for the same sharpness, so on mobile data 30 fps usually looks better unless you're filming fast action. And a lower resolution often beats a starved higher one: 720p at a healthy bitrate looks cleaner than 1080p that's breaking into blocks. The checker tells you when that's the case.
Max bitrate and adaptive bitrate
The bitrate you set in Moblin or IRL Pro is a maximum. With adaptive bitrate on, the app drops below it when your signal weakens and climbs back when it recovers. So set the max where the picture looks good, not where your connection is on a bad day, and let adaptive bitrate deal with the dips. Going far above the sweet spot only spends data: see how much with the data usage calculator.
Platform limits
| Platform | Codec | Bitrate | Max quality | Keyframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | H.264 | Up to 6,000 kbps recommended | 1080p60 | 2 s |
| Kick | H.264 only | 1,000 to 8,000 kbps | 1080p60 | 2 s |
| YouTube | H.264, HEVC, AV1 | Higher; see YouTube's table | Up to 4K | 2 s |
These limits are for what reaches the platform. Twitch's Enhanced Broadcasting allows more from desktop OBS, but phones streaming straight to Twitch should stay at 6,000 kbps.
Sending to a Cloud OBS server instead takes the limits off the phone: send HEVC over SRTLA at whatever bitrate looks good, and OBS on the server sends Twitch and Kick the H.264 they ask for.
FAQ
Bitrate questions
What bitrate should I use for IRL streaming?
For walking around at 1080p and 30 fps, about 3,100 to 6,300 kbps with HEVC, or 4,500 to 9,000 kbps with H.264. Less movement needs less, driving and sport need more. The checker works it out for your exact settings.
Is 6,000 kbps enough for 1080p 60 fps?
For walking around in H.264 it rates okay: fine when you stand still and soft when you move. At 6,000 kbps, 1080p at 30 fps or 720p at 60 fps both look better. With HEVC it's closer to good.
Should I stream IRL at 30 or 60 fps?
30 fps for walking and talking: every frame gets twice the bits, so the picture stays sharp on mobile data. 60 fps for sport, driving and fast action, if you can give it the bitrate.
What is the best bitrate for IRL streaming on Twitch?
Straight from the phone, up to 6,000 kbps of H.264, which suits 1080p30 or 720p60. Through a Cloud OBS server you can send HEVC from the phone and the server streams H.264 to Twitch.
What keyframe interval should I use?
2 seconds. Twitch, Kick and YouTube all ask for it, and it's the default in Moblin and IRL Pro.
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