Kick Bitrate Calculator
Eliminate dropped frames and broadcast buffering on Kick.com. Configure optimal video bitrates, keyframe intervals, and audio parameters up to the 8,000 kbps ingest ceiling.
Last Updated: November 4, 2026
Official Kick Ingest Specifications (H.264 / CBR)
Audited directly against Kick help documentation. Last verified: November 4, 2026.
| Tier / Resolution | Framerate | Recommended Bitrate | Rate Control | Keyframe Interval | Audio Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p Full HD (Crisp) | 60 fps | 6,000 – 7,500 kbps | CBR (Mandatory) | 2 seconds | 160 kbps AAC |
| 1080p Standard | 30 fps | 4,500 – 5,500 kbps | CBR (Mandatory) | 2 seconds | 160 kbps AAC |
| 720p HD (Low Bandwidth) | 60 fps | 3,500 – 4,500 kbps | CBR (Mandatory) | 2 seconds | 128 kbps AAC |
Kick vs Twitch: Ingest Differences
While Twitch officially recommends a 6,000 kbps soft target (and disconnects streams above 8,500k), Kick explicitly supports streaming up to 8,000 kbps video. This extra 2,000 kbps headroom allows Kick broadcasters to achieve sharper high-motion fast-paced FPS gameplay with reduced macroblocking.
Transcode Allocation on Kick
Unlike Twitch where non-affiliate streamers are not guaranteed video quality transcoding (source-only), Kick provides transcode options (720p, 480p, 360p, 160p) more generously to streamers. However, broadcasting above 7,500 kbps can still cause buffering for mobile viewers on constrained cellular connections.
Frequently Asked Questions: Kick Streaming
What is the maximum bitrate allowed on Kick?
Kick enforces an 8,000 kbps video bitrate hard cap (approximately 8,200 kbps combined with audio). Streams exceeding this limit risk frame drops, server buffering, or temporary stream termination.
Does Kick support Variable Bitrate (VBR)?
No. Kick's official broadcaster documentation explicitly states: 'Does KICK support Variable Bitrate (VBR)? Unfortunately not. You must set your streaming software to CBR.' VBR causes unpredictable bitrate spikes that destabilize live RTMP ingestion.
What are the recommended OBS encoder settings for Kick?
In OBS Studio, set Rate Control to CBR, Bitrate to 6,000 to 7,500 kbps, Keyframe Interval to 2 seconds, Preset to P5 / Quality (or P6 Slower), Tuning to Ultra Low Latency, Profile to High, and B-frames to 2.
Can I stream in 1440p or 4K on Kick?
Kick currently limits standard broadcast ingestion to 1080p at 60 fps. 1440p and 4K resolutions are not officially supported on the live ingest pipeline and will either fail to broadcast or be downscaled by the server.