---
title: "Lesson 7.1 - 720p 30fps Bandwidth"
description: "720p 30fps Bandwidth Requirements. The minimum-viable streaming quality. Recommended bitrate: 2,500-3,500 Kbps (2.5-3.5 Mbps) Required upload bandwidth: 5 Mbps minimum, 8 Mbps recommended (allows..."
url: https://thestreameragency.com/courses/streaming-setup-pro/lessons/setup-pro-7-1-720p30/
date: 2026-05-06
modified: 2026-05-06
author: "The Streamer Agency"
type: lp_lesson
lang: en
---

# Lesson 7.1 - 720p 30fps Bandwidth

**720p 30fps Bandwidth Requirements.** The minimum-viable streaming quality.

**Recommended bitrate:** 2,500-3,500 Kbps (2.5-3.5 Mbps)

**Required upload bandwidth:** 5 Mbps minimum, 8 Mbps recommended (allows 2-3x headroom)

**Where 720p 30fps is acceptable:**

- Mobile-streaming setups

- Just Chatting streams where the visual is mostly the streamer's face (not detailed game graphics)

- IRL streams from variable network conditions

- Backup quality when network is unreliable

**Why not lower:** 480p or below in 2026 looks dated. Modern viewers expect at least 720p. Below this resolution, retention metrics drop noticeably.

**OBS settings for 720p 30fps:**

- Output → Streaming → Bitrate: 3,000 Kbps

- Video → Output (Scaled) Resolution: 1280x720

- Video → FPS: 30

- Output → Encoder: NVENC (if available) or x264 with veryfast preset

**The use case:** 720p 30fps is the entry-tier baseline. Most streamers should target 1080p 60fps. The 720p setting exists as a fallback for limited-bandwidth situations.