How do I stream on Instagram Live from my computer?
Instagram Live Producer lets you broadcast to Instagram Live using streaming software like OBS Studio, vMix, or Streamlabs instead of the Instagram mobile app. This allows you to use professional cameras, graphics, and transitions. Let's look at how to get your stream key and set up your broadcast.
Access Instagram Live Producer
To stream from a computer, you need access to Instagram Live Producer, which is available to professional, creator, and personal accounts on instagram.com.
Log in to Instagram on a desktop browser, click the Create button (+) in the sidebar, and select Live Video. Enter a title for your live stream, choose your audience (Practice or Public), and click Next.
Copy your RTMP URL and Stream Key
After setting your title, Instagram will display a pop-up with a Stream URL (server URL) and a Stream Key.
Copy these credentials. Note that the stream key is single-use and expires if you do not go live within a few hours of creating it, so you will need to generate a new key for each session.
Configure OBS for vertical Instagram streams
Instagram Live is a vertical-first platform, meaning the video player uses a 9:16 aspect ratio. For the best viewing experience, configure your canvas size in OBS to be vertical.
In OBS, navigate to Settings -> Video. Set the Base (Canvas) Resolution and Output (Scaled) Resolution to 1080x1920. Set your video bitrate to 3000-4000 kbps, and keep your keyframe interval at 2 seconds.
In the Stream settings, set Service to Custom, and paste the Instagram Stream URL and Stream Key into the fields.
Multistreaming to Instagram and other platforms
Streaming to Instagram Live alongside TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch is a great way to capture mobile and desktop audiences. Using a server-side relay allows you to feed all these targets from a single upload.
Point OBS at Stream Repeater, and add Instagram Live as one of your destinations. Stream Repeater handles the cloud distribution, so your network stays stable.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get Instagram Live Producer?
Log in to instagram.com on a desktop browser, click the Create (+) button, and select Live Video to find the tool.
Is the Instagram stream key permanent?
No. Instagram stream keys are temporary and expire. You must copy a new stream key from Live Producer for each streaming session.
What resolution should I use for Instagram Live?
Instagram Live recommends a 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 resolution) at 30 fps, with a video bitrate of 3000–4000 kbps.