Whether you are watching your favorite series on Netflix or live streaming a game on Twitch, your internet speed is crucial. Live streaming on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook has evolved how new-age gamers interact. However, many of them still face the major constraint of good quality streams due to low upload speeds.
There are two main requirements for a live stream set up. The first is a smartphone or a decent computer powerful enough to handle video encoding in real-time. The other, more crucial requirement is a good upload speed.
How Much Upload Speed Do You Need for Streaming?
Most gamers now broadcast their live games to their respective audiences. For the best quality streams, these individuals need fast internet connections. On Twitch, the recommended upload speed for streamers is at least 3 Mbps. Of course, this recommendation entirely depends on the resolution you wish to stream.
A good upload speed allows you to stream the content you want to your chosen platform without any issues. Ideally, it should also be capable of delivering your content at a quality that you desire. The platform we choose plays a critical part, just like the resolution and the frame rate of your stream.
For example, suppose you want to live stream a video of yourself playing an online casino game. You can use either Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or Twitch. These platforms support live streaming of 720p video, so the recommended upload speed would be 6 Mbps. If you’re looking for online casino games, you can check them out at this website.
What Is a Good Upload Speed to Target?
When it comes to internet speed, there are many different variables to take into consideration. So, instead of trying to figure out the best upload speed, focus on what is ideal for your unique circumstance.
Let us look at three major platforms: Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and their recommended upload speeds.
- Facebook Live
The recommended upload speed varies from platform to platform. On Facebook, the maximum resolution is 1080p at 60 frames per second. The ideal upload speed for this quality is 6 to 7 Mbps. For 720p video at 30 or 60 frames per second, the recommended upload speed is 3 to 4 Mbps. An upload speed of 1 to 2Mbps will work for 480p video.
- Twitch
To stream 720p video at 30 frames per second: 3.2 Mbps to around 5 Mbps is the recommended upload speed. However, for 720p video at 60 frames per second, the recommended upload speed is between 4.4 Mbps and 6.2 Mbps.
To stream 1080p video at 30 frames per second: the recommended speed is also 4.4 Mbps and 6.2 Mbps. For the 1080p video at 60 frames per second, the recommended upload speed is 5.6 Mbps to 7.4 Mbps.
- Youtube
On YouTube, the recommended upload speed for 720p video at 30 frames per second is 2 Mbps to 5 Mbps. For 720p video at 60 frames per second, the recommended upload speed is between 2.9 Mbps and 7.4 Mbps. For 1080p video at 30 frames per second, the recommended upload speed is 3.8 Mbps to 7.4 Mbps
For the 1080p video at 60 frames per second: the recommended speed is between 5.6 Mbps and 11 Mbps. For 1440p video at 30 frames per second: the recommended upload speed is 7.4 Mbps to 15.8 Mbps. For the 1440p video, at 60 frames per second, the recommended upload speed is between 11 Mbps and 21.8 Mbps.
On YouTube, we have 4K video possibilities. To stream at 30 frames per second: the recommended upload speed is 15.8 Mbps to 41 Mbps. To stream 4K video at 60 frames per second: the recommended upload speed is between 24.2 Mbps and around 61.5 Mbps.
What Upload Speed Do I Need to Stream Online Games?
The minimum upload speed needed for online gaming is about 1 Mbps. However, this is when you are running only one online activity at a time. Therefore, many gamers will require higher speeds to enjoy a quality gaming experience.
In some households, three or more users may be online at the same time. In this case, a minimum of 6 Mbps is the recommended speed for the best gaming experience. Sometimes the other users may be running high demand applications, like streaming HD movies or online gaming. In this case, an internet speed of 15 Mbps or more is appropriate.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the upload speed, a few variables are at play. These vary across different platforms and are also primarily influenced by the hardware you are using. In most cases, you may be able to remedy your slow internet, but sometimes you might yourself needing an internet upgrade to meet your needs.
