What is a Good Internet Speed for Live Streaming?

Alexander Shpilka -

The live streaming landscape continuously evolves, capturing a broader audience and becoming a vital tool for content creators, businesses, and entertainment platforms. Yet, to execute optimal live streaming, you need to have a stable and robust internet connection. This article is designed to guide you through the recommended internet speeds for various live streaming activities, ensuring a buffering-free and enjoyable streaming experience for both you and your audience.

A good internet speed for live streaming, be it gaming, video, or audio, largely depends on the video quality desired. Generally, a minimum upload speed of 3 Mbps is recommended for standard definition (SD) video, 5 Mbps for high-definition (HD) video, and 25 Mbps for ultra-high-definition (4K) streams, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted broadcasts.

The Basics of Internet Speed 💨

When it comes to streaming, internet speed denotes how fast data transfers from the internet to your device. But what speed is really enough? The answer depends on the kind of content you want to live stream, its quality, and the number of devices connected to the same network and streaming simultaneously.

Live Streaming as a Viewer 🍿

As a viewer, if you're watching streams in standard definition (SD), a download speed of 3-4 Mbps should be totally fine. For High Definition (HD) streams, speeds of 5-8 Mbps are recommended. To stream content in Full HD quality, aim for 10-15 Mbps, while for 4K Ultra HD, an internet connection with a minimum speed of 25 Mbps is advised.

Live Streaming as a Broadcaster 🧍‍♂️🎥

Optimizing upload speed for live streaming is crucial to ensure a smooth and high-quality viewing experience for your audience, free from buffering or lagging issues. Higher upload speeds contribute to more stable streams and better video resolution, enhancing the overall audience engagement. Moreover, it accommodates the data demands of streaming platforms for different stream quality levels, from standard definition to HD and 4K, providing flexibility in streaming based on the desired video quality.

How to optimize the upload speed for streaming?

  1. Select the Correct ISP: To start off, choosing the appropriate internet service provider (ISP) is crucial for desirable upload speeds. Typically, home users have faster download speeds than upload speeds. .
  2. Opt for a Wired Connection: As we've mentioned before, a wired connection can offer less interference and more stability compared to a Wi-Fi connection.
  3. Updated your Soft&Hardware Regularly: An effective way to prevent speed lag is by ensuring your software and hardware, including modems, routers, and system drivers, are kept up to date.
  4. Minimize Bandwidth Consumption: Make sure your internet isn't burdened with too many connected devices. Disconnect unnecessary devices from your network during your live stream to free up bandwidth. Additionally, close any unneeded programs or apps on your device.
  5. Use a Cloud-Based Soft for Multistreaming: If you're engaged in multi-streaming, a cloud-based multistreaming software like LiveReacting can ease the strain on your CPU and bandwidth, enhancing your overall streaming performance.

Remember, these recommended speeds apply when you are using a single device. In reality, we often have many devices like smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles connected to the same network, all devouring bandwidth. The more devices you have on the same network, the higher the internet speed requirement. So, if multiple devices are streaming simultaneously, consider multiplying the recommended speed by the number of devices to maintain a smooth streaming experience.

Streaming Platforms 🛠️

Broadcaster's upload speed requirements largely depend on the desired stream quality. I will guide you through the bitrate recommendations for broadcasting on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.

  • Facebook suggests using a maximum resolution of 720p (1280 x 720), broadcasting at 30 frames per second.
  • If you're streaming with a peak resolution of 1080p at 60 frames per second, target an upload speed between 6 and 7 Mbps.
  • In case your highest resolution is 720p, either at 30 or 60 frames per second, strive for an upload speed ranging from 3 to 4 Mbps.
  • If you're streaming 720p video at 30 frames per second (fps), aim for a bitrate between 1,500 and 4,000 Kbps, which translates to approximately 2 to 5 Mbps in terms of speed. If you choose to stream 720p video at 60 fps, however, a recommended bitrate falls between 2,250 and 6,000 Kbps, which corresponds to speeds of about 2.9 to 7.4 Mbps.
  • Streaming 1080p video at 30 fps? The range is between 3,000 and 6,000 Kbps, requiring the speeds of 3.8 to 7.4 Mbps. If you're aiming for 1080p video at 60 fps, the advised bitrate lies between 4,500 and 9,000 Kbps, which converts to speeds between 6 and 11 Mbps.
  • Moving to 1440p quality, for 30 fps, a bitrate between 6,000 and 13,000 Kbps is optimal, translating to some 4 to 15.8 Mbps in terms of speed. If you're broadcasting 1440p video at 60 fps, the recommended bitrate spans between 9,000 and 18,000 Kbps, which corresponds to upload speeds of roughly 11 to 21.8 Mbps.
  • If desired, you can opt for premium streaming with 4k resolution. Specifically, a 4k video at 30 fps will require a bitrate of around 13,000 to 34,000 Kbps, which equates to 8 to 41 Mbps in upload speed. For 4k video at 60 fps, YouTube recommends a range between 20,000 and 51,000 Kbps, implying an upload speed of about 24.5 to 61.5 Mbps.

Twitch

  • For broadcasts at 720p resolution and 30 fps, the advised bitrate is 3,000 Kbps, aligning with a recommended upload speed of about 8 Mbps. If you're streaming 1080p video at 60 fps, Twitch suggests a bitrate of 4,500 Kbps, which is approximately 6 Mbps in speed.
  • For broadcasts at 1080p resolution and 30 fps, the advised bitrate is 4,500 Kbps, aligning with a recommended upload speed of about 6 Mbps. If you're streaming 1080p video at 60 fps, Twitch suggests a bitrate of 6,000 Kbps, which is approximately 4 Mbps in speed.

Considerations for Multi-Devices 💻 🖥️ 📱

Remember, these recommended speeds apply when you are using a single device. In reality, we often have many devices like smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles connected to the same network, all devouring bandwidth. The more devices you have on the same network, the higher the internet speed requirement. So, if multiple devices are streaming simultaneously, consider multiplying the recommended speed by the number of devices to maintain a smooth streaming experience.

Internet Speed Test 🧪

To understand your current internet speed, numerous free online tools like this will test both upload and download speeds. Performing these tests during peak usage times can help identify if your existing internet plan is sufficient or needs upgrading.

Closing Thoughts 💭

When it comes to live streaming, a strong internet connection can make or break the quality of your stream. Although investing in a high-speed internet plan can seem daunting, the stream stability and quality improvement often justify the cost, especially if streaming is a significant part of your business or activity. Remember, the recommended internet speeds serve as a guide. Individual experience may differ according to specific environments and network conditions. Happy streaming!

Got questions? Need help to set up your stream? Contact us in the live chat on our website, and we'll assist you as soon as possible!