Stream Connection Checker
Run a real speed test and find out if your connection can handle streaming — at what quality, and what to fix if it can't.
10–30 seconds depending on your speed · Measures download, upload, ping, jitter & packet loss
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How the calculation works
The test runs three phases. First, 24 sequential requests to our server measure latency and jitter — using the browser's Performance API to capture true TTFB rather than HTTP wall-clock time. Then a 25 MB download from Cloudflare's edge measures throughput. Finally, 8 parallel 80 MB uploads use XHR progress events to sample steady-state speed and sum across streams, matching how Speedtest.net saturates fast connections.
Upload speed determines which bitrates are achievable. Jitter (ping variation) causes dropped frames even at bitrates your average upload can technically sustain. Packet loss above 1% causes visible artifacts regardless of speed.
Frequently asked questions
What upload speed do I need to stream at 1080p60?
Most platforms cap 1080p60 at 6,000 kbps. With 25% headroom that's ~8 Mbps dedicated upload. If other devices share your connection, add more buffer.
What ping is acceptable for streaming?
Under 50ms to your nearest server is ideal. High ping doesn't affect viewer quality directly but can cause encoder lag and disconnections if combined with jitter or packet loss.
What is jitter and why does it matter?
Jitter is the variation in your ping over time. A consistent 30ms connection is fine; one that swings between 10ms and 80ms causes OBS to drop frames trying to keep up with the unpredictable network.
Can a VPN improve my stream quality?
Sometimes. A VPN can re-route traffic through a less congested path to the streaming server, reducing effective ping or fixing packet loss caused by ISP throttling — most noticeable during peak hours.
Why does upload show — ?
The upload test sends 80 MB across 8 parallel streams to our server using XHR progress events. In local development the endpoint isn't available, so it shows unavailable. On the live site it works. You can also check your upload speed directly at fast.com or Speedtest.net.
Is ethernet or Wi-Fi better for streaming?
Ethernet is strongly preferred. Wi-Fi introduces variable jitter that causes dropped frames even when average speed looks fine. A single obstacle or interference source can spike ping momentarily — enough to drop frames in OBS. If ethernet isn't an option, use 5GHz Wi-Fi and position as close to the router as possible.
What causes dropped frames in OBS with good upload speed?
The most common causes are jitter/instability (high speed but inconsistent connection), streaming server distance (set OBS to auto-select the nearest Twitch ingest server), peak-hour congestion, and bitrate set too close to your upload ceiling. Running OBS's built-in connection test (Settings → Stream) gives more detail than a standard speed test.
How much upload bandwidth should I reserve for streaming?
OBS should use no more than 75–80% of your total upload. At 25 Mbps upload, a 6,000 kbps stream uses about 6 Mbps — leaving 19 Mbps free for other devices. On slower connections (10 Mbps or less), other devices streaming video simultaneously will compete for bandwidth and cause dropped frames.