What internet speed do you need for live streaming?

Going live on Twitch or YouTube depends on your upload speed, not your download. Here's how much you need for each platform and quality, how to test your connection, and how to fix dropped frames.

Upload speed you need by platform

For live streaming, upload matters, not download. Your stream goes out at a fixed bitrate, and your connection has to send it steadily for hours. A safe rule is to set your bitrate at no more than about 50–75% of your tested upload speed.

Download speed matters only for the rest of your household. If others stream 4K TV while you're live, size the plan for them too; see the best internet speed for gaming and streaming.

Upload speed by provider

Upload speeds are often missing from plan ads, so check the Broadband Facts label for your plan, or run a speed test. Typical figures:

See how to read a Broadband Facts label and Comcast upload speeds by area.

How to test your connection for streaming

1. Run a speed test wired, at the time you usually go live. Evening uploads can be lower than daytime ones. Use our speed test and note upload, ping and jitter.
2. Test more than once. Set your bitrate below the lowest upload result, not the highest.
3. Run a test stream. Twitch Inspector and YouTube's stream health panel show whether your stream arrives steadily before you go public.
4. Watch OBS stats. "Dropped frames (network)" above 1% means the connection can't keep up; lower the bitrate.

Best internet type for streaming

Fiber: best

Fiber plans usually have matching upload and download, so a 300 Mbps plan gives 300 Mbps up, far more than any stream needs. Latency is low and steady. See the best fiber providers.

Cable: good for 1080p

Cable uploads are much lower than downloads, but most current plans still give enough upload for 1080p60 on Twitch. Check the upload figure on the plan's Broadband Facts label, and watch for other uploads in the house.

5G home internet and Starlink: usable, with testing

Both can stream at 720p or 1080p, but upload changes through the day. Test at your streaming time and leave extra headroom. See why T-Mobile Home Internet slows down and our Starlink review.

DSL: usually not enough

Most DSL uploads are under 5 Mbps, which limits you to 720p at low bitrates or lower.

OBS settings that make the most of your upload

• Rate control: CBR (constant bitrate), which platforms recommend for live streams.
• Keyframe interval: 2 seconds.
• Encoder: a hardware encoder (NVIDIA NVENC, AMD or Intel) to keep your game running smoothly.
• Newer codecs: AV1 or HEVC need about 30–40% less bitrate for the same quality, where your platform accepts them (YouTube and Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting).
• Bitrate-starved? 720p60 at 4,500 kbps often looks cleaner than a squeezed 1080p60.

Fix dropped frames and buffering

• Use Ethernet. Wi-Fi adds interruptions that a speed test may not show.
• Stop other uploads. Cloud photo backups, game uploads and video calls all share your upload.
• Lower the bitrate by 1,000 kbps at a time until dropped frames stop.
• Restart your modem and router before a long stream; see how to restart your modem and router.
• Check your router. An old router can bottleneck a fast plan; see the best router for streaming.

Streaming from your phone (IRL streaming)

Streaming from a phone over 5G or LTE works the same way: you need steady upload, and cellular upload changes as you move. Most IRL streamers run 720p or 1080p at 3,500–6,000 kbps.

• Check your plan's hotspot and video rules. Some unlimited plans slow data after a monthly limit or cap video quality.
• Use an app with adaptive bitrate, which lowers quality instead of dropping the stream when signal weakens.
• Bond two connections (for example, two carriers' SIMs or 5G plus Wi-Fi) with a bonding app or device for long outdoor streams.
• Test the route first with a speed test on the phone. For hotspots and travel routers, see internet on the go.

Streaming to several platforms at once

Sending to Twitch and YouTube at the same time from your PC doubles your upload use. A restreaming service takes one stream from you and forwards it, so your upload stays the same as a single stream.

Questions