How do I stream on Twitch?
Twitch is the world's leading live streaming platform for gamers, creators, and esports. Streaming to Twitch requires broadcasting software, a stable internet connection, and your Twitch stream key. Here is a complete guide to setting up OBS for Twitch and how to restream to other sites at the same time.
Get your Twitch stream key
To stream to Twitch, you need your unique Stream Key. This tells your encoding software where to send your video feed. Keep this key secret, as anyone who has it can stream directly to your channel.
Log in to Twitch, open your Creator Dashboard, navigate to Settings, and click Stream. Your Primary Stream Key is located at the top of this page. Copy it to your clipboard.
Configure OBS Studio for Twitch
OBS Studio is the recommended software for streaming to Twitch. You can either link your Twitch account directly within OBS or set it up manually using your stream key.
In OBS, go to Settings -> Stream. Set the Service to Twitch. If you connect your account, OBS will automatically manage your stream key. Otherwise, select "Use Stream Key" and paste your primary key.
Set your Video Output Resolution to 1920x1080 (1080p) or 1280x720 (720p). For the best quality, Twitch recommends a keyframe interval of 2 seconds and a maximum bitrate of 6000 kbps for H.264 video.
How to stream to Twitch and other platforms at once
While Twitch is great, you can expand your reach by streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and Kick simultaneously. However, sending multiple streams from your home computer can easily overload your upload bandwidth.
Using a cloud restreaming service solves this. You send a single stream to the relay server, which duplicates the video feed and pushes it to Twitch and your other destinations server-side.
Frequently asked questions
Where is my Twitch stream key?
Log in to Twitch, go to your Creator Dashboard, and navigate to Settings -> Stream to find and copy your Primary Stream Key.
What is the best bitrate for Twitch?
Twitch supports up to 6000 kbps for H.264 video. 1080p60 typically requires 6000 kbps, while 720p30 works well at 3000-4500 kbps.
Can I stream to Twitch and YouTube simultaneously?
Yes, Twitch allows multistreaming. You can send a single feed to Stream Repeater and relay it to both Twitch and YouTube in real time.