OBS export settings for Kick.
1920 x 1080 at 60 fps, H.264, 6 Mbps CBR and AAC 160 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in OBS Studio.
OBS to Kick
Shinel recommendation- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Frame rate
- 60 fps, constant
- Codec
- H.264, profile Main, level 4.2
- Bitrate
- CBR: target 6 Mbps (6000 kbps)
- Keyframes
- Every 2 s = 120 frames, 2 B-frames, closed GOP
- Audio
- AAC-LC, 160 kbps, 48 kHz, stereo
- Colour
- Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range
- Container
- MP4 with Fast Start (moov atom at the front)
Kick allows CBR between 1,000 and 8,000 kbps; this leaves headroom for viewers on slower connections.
Estimated size: 5.60 GB for 2:00:00.
Step by step in OBS
- 1Settings > Stream: choose Kick and connect your account or paste the stream key.
- 2Settings > Video: Output (Scaled) Resolution 1920x1080, Common FPS Values 60.
- 3Settings > Output: Output Mode Advanced, Streaming tab.
- 4Video Encoder: NVIDIA NVENC H.264 (or x264). Rate Control CBR, Bitrate 6000 Kbps.
- 5Keyframe Interval 2 s (never 0 for streaming). Profile Main, B-Frames 2.
- 6Audio tab: Audio Bitrate 160, Sample Rate 48000 Hz. Apply, then Start Streaming.
Bitrate at other resolutions
Same settings, different size or frame rate.
| Resolution | 30 fps | 60 fps |
|---|---|---|
| 720p | 3 Mbps, level 3.1 | 4.5 Mbps, level 3.2 |
| 1080p | 4.5 Mbps, level 4.0 | 6 Mbps, level 4.2 |
Kick upload limits
Each value links to where it was published.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the keyframe interval on automatic. Kick wants a keyframe every 2 seconds; automatic is often longer and causes buffering.
- Using VBR for a live stream. Kick expects CBR (constant bitrate); VBR spikes cause dropped frames for viewers.
- Typing a frame count into OBS's keyframe field. It is in seconds here: 2.
- Entering 6 in a Kbps field. OBS takes kilobits: 6 Mbps is 6000.
- Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to Kick. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
- Keyframe Interval in OBS is in seconds, not frames. 0 means automatic, which is too long for platforms that want 2 s.
- Plain MP4 recordings are unreadable after a crash; Hybrid MP4 or MKV is safe.
For comparison, YouTube publishes 12 Mbps for 1080p at 60 fps. Example length used for sizes: 2:00:00.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I export from OBS for Kick?
For 1080p at 60 fps use about 6 Mbps (6000 kbps) CBR. Kick allows CBR between 1,000 and 8,000 kbps; this leaves headroom for viewers on slower connections.
What resolution and frame rate should I use for Kick?
1920 x 1080 at 60 fps is a safe choice. Kick: Maximum 1920 x 1080. Frame rate: Maximum 60 fps.
Which codec should I pick in OBS for Kick?
H.264, profile Main, level 4.2, in an MP4 file. Kick lists: H.264 only (x264, NVENC H.264, AMD H.264), main profile, keyframe 2 s. H.265 not supported.
Can I export HDR from OBS to Kick?
Kick has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.
OBS for other platforms
Hubs and tools
Shinel Studios
Rather send the footage and get Kick-ready edits back?
Our editors cut, caption, colour and export to each platform's spec, with 2 revision rounds. Shorts come back in 48-72 hours, long videos in 5-10 days.