Why It Matters
Your internet connection greatly affects the quality of your stream and if you’re able to even stream at all. Low upload speeds cam contribute to low bitrate, which create a subpar viewing experience for your audience.
The most important number to check is your internet upload speeds. To stream at 1080p at 60fps, the recommended target bitrate for most streaming platforms is ~6,000 kbps meaning you will need an upload speed of at least 9 Mbps.
How Do I Check My Internet Speed?
The easiest way to check your internet speed is to simply Google “internet speed test” or use websites like Speedtest.net and Fast.com.
Mbps? mbps? What’s The Difference?
Typically, internet speeds are measured in Mbps (megabits per second). This is different from mbps (megabytes per second), with megabytes commonly being used for denote file sizes on your phone or computer. This is purposefully deceptive marketing by ISPs (internet service providers) to make it look like you are getting more than what you’re paying for and makes calculating speed a bit annoying.
This also means that, you might not be getting as much as you think you’re paying for:
| Download Speed | 1 MB | 100 MB | 1 GB | 100 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example File | a small PDF | a YouTube video | a TV show | a large game |
| 100 Mbps (“megabit”) | 0.08 secs | 8 secs | 1 min 20 secs | 2 hrs 13 secs |
| 1 Gbps (“gigabit”) | 0.008 secs | 0.8 secs | 8 secs | 13 mins 20 secs |
You can learn more about the difference and calculate download times using this Omni Calculator for Download Time.
I’m Paying for X Mbps But Only Getting Y Mbps
Your internet speed will depend on whether you are on a wired or wireless connection (wifi).
A wired connection is preferred as it is more stable and yields higher internet speeds. However, if you are using cables from the 90s or early 2000s, you may be getting slower speeds than wifi. Take a look at your cables and make sure they are “Cat5e” or above, which are rated for gigabit internet.
| Cable | Max Data Rate |
|---|---|
| Category 4 | 16 Mbps |
| Category 5 | 100 Mbps |
| Category 5e | 1 Gbps (gigabit) |
| Category 6 | 1 Gbps |
| Category 6a | 10 Gbps |
What’s a Bitrate?
While you may have a decent internet connection for watching YouTube or Netflix, the most important number when it comes to streaming is upload speed. Be aware that while you may have good download speeds, you might not have the same upload speed. Some ISPs, especially in more rural areas that utilize satellite internet, may have significantly less upload speed. Additionally, if there are multiple people living in your household or have multiple devices that are connected to the internet, you may need higher internet speeds/bandwidth to stream effectively.
Below, you can find the recommended bitrates for multiple platforms. Your internet speed should have at least 50% MORE upload speed than your bitrate setting. For example, if you are doing 6,000 Kbps, you should have at least 6,000 Kbps + 3,000 Kbps (50% of 6,000) = 9,000 Kbps upload.
In order to stream at 1080p at 60fps:
| Platform | Min Bitrate | Max Bitrate | Upload Speed Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 4 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 6-18 Mbps |
| Twitch | 6,000 kbps or 6 Mbps | – | 9 Mbps |
| Kick | 1,000 kbps or 1 Mbps | 8,000 kbps or 8 Mbps | 1.5-12 Mbps |
| Facebook Live | 4,500 kbps or 4.5 Mbps | 9,000 kbps or 9 Mbps | 7-14 Mbps |
If your upload speed is anywhere between the min/max bitrates listed, you can calculate your own custom bitrate using a bitrate calculator to try to find your own sweet spot between quality and bandwidth.
What If I Don’t Meet The Minimum Requirements?
The speed and quality if your internet service varies greatly depending on which part of the world you live in. According to Speedtest.net, most Americans meet these upload requirements; however, that means there is a small percentage of people who don’t.
If you do not meet these requirements, check what providers are available in your area and see if fiber optic internet is available. In rural areas where satellite internet is more widely used, you may be forced to pay more for lower-quality service. Additionally, some apartment complexes, neighborhoods, and even whole US cites and states have ISP monopolies that may result you paying higher prices for lower speeds.