What is bitrate, and how to choose yours
Bitrate is the single setting that decides how good your stream looks and whether it stays live. Here is what it means, in plain English, and how to pick a number your mobile connection can actually hold.
What bitrate means
Bitrate is how much data your video uses per second. It is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or, for smaller numbers, kilobits per second (kbps). The more bitrate you give your stream, the more detail it can pack into every frame, so the picture looks sharper and cleaner.
That is the whole idea in one line: more bitrate means more detail per frame.
Higher is not always better
It is tempting to crank the number up, but a higher bitrate needs a faster, steadier upload to carry it. On mobile data, setting it too high is the most common cause of drops and buffering, because your connection simply cannot keep up with all that data.
The goal is not the biggest number. It is to pick a bitrate your connection can comfortably hold, with headroom to spare for the moments when signal dips.
Recommended bitrates for IRL
These are good starting points for streaming on the move:
- 720p: around 2.5 to 4 Mbps.
- 1080p: around 4.5 to 6 Mbps.
- On mobile data: 3 to 4 Mbps is a safe, reliable start.
Too high vs too low
There is a sweet spot, and both sides of it cause trouble.
- Too high: the stream stutters, buffers, or drops, because your connection cannot carry the data.
- Too low: the picture looks soft or blocky, especially in fast motion where there is a lot to describe.
Aim for the sweet spot your connection holds steadily. A slightly softer picture that never drops beats a crisp one that keeps cutting out.
Setting it in the app
In Super Simple IRL, you set this with the Target bitrate slider. Start conservative, watch how the stream behaves, and only raise it if your connection stays solid.
Bonding more connections gives you more headroom, so if you want to push the quality higher, add another connection before you push the number. See what is bonding for how that works.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I use for IRL streaming?
On mobile data, 3 to 4 Mbps is a safe, reliable start. It looks good and leaves headroom for signal dips. Raise it only once you know your connection stays solid.
Is a higher bitrate always better?
No. A higher bitrate needs a faster, steadier upload, and setting it too high is the most common cause of drops and buffering on mobile data. Pick a bitrate your connection can comfortably hold.
What bitrate for 720p vs 1080p?
Aim for around 2.5 to 4 Mbps at 720p, and around 4.5 to 6 Mbps at 1080p. On mobile data, staying nearer the lower end keeps your stream steady.
What happens if my bitrate is too high?
Your connection cannot keep up, so the stream stutters, buffers, or drops. If that keeps happening, lower the target bitrate until it holds steadily.