Subathon Calculator
Plan your Twitch subathon. Set your starting timer, time added per sub, and expected sub rate — see how long the stream will run and how much you'll earn.
Timer Setup
Check your recent sub rate in Twitch Analytics
Revenue Estimate
T1 = $5.99, T2 = $9.99, T3 = $24.99
Affiliate = 50%, Partner Plus = 60–70%
Projection
Your timer drops 45.0 minutes per hour (subs add 15.0 min, clock removes 60 min). Raise subs/hr or mins-per-sub to extend the stream.
Try free →Streamlabs has built-in subathon timers — add time per sub, bits, or donation automatically and display the countdown as an overlay on your stream.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
How the calculation works
The calculator uses your sub rate to compute whether the timer grows or shrinks each hour. Each hour, the clock loses 60 minutes — but gains back subs per hour × minutes per sub. If the net is negative, the stream has a natural end time. If positive, only a duration cap ends it.
Duration formula: hours = (starting minutes) ÷ (60 − subs/hr × mins/sub). This assumes a constant sub rate — real subathons often start hotter and slow down, so actual duration may be shorter.
Find your typical sub rate in Twitch Creator Dashboard → Analytics → Subscriptions, filtered to a recent stream day.
Frequently asked questions
Do gift subs count the same as regular subs?
Yes — gift subs add time to the timer just like regular T1 subs (unless you configure your timer differently). You earn the same split per gifted sub as per regular sub.
Can I add bits and donations to the timer too?
Yes — most subathon timer tools (Streamlabs, OWN3D, SAMMI) let you configure bits and donations to add time. This calculator focuses on subs only. Add a rough bits-per-hour estimate converted to sub-equivalents for a more complete picture.
What's a good starting timer for a first subathon?
4–8 hours is a safe starting range for smaller channels. It gives chat enough time to build momentum without committing to an unmanageable stream if subs are slow. You can always add a cap.
Should I set a maximum duration?
Yes, especially if you're new to subathons or don't have a team. 24 hours is a common cap for solo streamers. Without a cap, an unexpectedly high sub rate can lead to an indefinitely long stream.
What's the Twitch sub revenue split?
Most Affiliates earn 50% of the sub price after Twitch takes their cut. Partner Plus raises this to 60% (100 Points) or 70% (300 Points) sustained over 3 months of paid subs. Prime subs pay streamers the same as T1 subs.