Kick streaming requirements
To stream on Kick, you need a Kick account (you must be at least 13), a verified email address, and a device that can send a stream within Kick’s limits: H.264 video, constant bitrate, up to 8,000 kbps, 1080p and 60 fps. You do not need any status or minimum audience to go live. Milestones only matter when you want to earn money from subs or the Kick Partner Program.
This page collects the rules from Kick’s help center in one place. Kick changes its programs often, so each part links to the source.
Account requirements
Section titled “Account requirements”| Requirement | What Kick says |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 13, or the age of digital consent in your country if it is higher. Under 18 only with the supervision and consent of a parent or legal guardian. |
| Verify your email address. Some features do not work until you do. | |
| Two-factor authentication | Strongly recommended from day one. Required if you want to earn money as a streamer, and to change your username. |
| Country rules | Some countries have extra age checks. Kick uses the age check provider k-ID. |
Sources: How to create a Kick account, How to enable two-factor authentication, Age assurance FAQs.
Content rules for every stream
Section titled “Content rules for every stream”- Title and category. Set both in your Creator Dashboard before you go live. Kick says the stream may not start correctly without them.
- Right category. Using a category that does not match your stream to get more viewers is “category abuse” and breaks the rules.
- 18+ label. Required for content that is not right for viewers under 18, for example gambling, persistent strong language, or graphic content. Kick says that if you are not sure, use the label.
- Community Guidelines. Read Understanding Kick’s Community Guidelines before your first stream.
Source: Content classification labels.
Stream settings limits
Section titled “Stream settings limits”Kick rejects or fails to connect a stream that goes past these limits (OBS or Streamlabs not connecting to Kick):
| Setting | Kick’s limit at the time of writing (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Video encoder | H.264 (x264) only. No H.265. |
| Rate control | CBR (constant bitrate) only. No VBR. |
| Bitrate | Up to 8,000 kbps |
| Resolution | Up to 1920x1080 |
| Frame rate | Up to 60 fps |
| Audio | Stereo, up to 48 kHz |
Kick also says that some growing channels can show viewers only up to 720p60 at first. 1080p becomes available when the channel reaches an engagement threshold. You do not need to change your settings for this (Why 1080p may not be available). Settings for each encoder are in Best OBS settings for Kick.
Internet speed
Section titled “Internet speed”Kick says your upload speed should be at least twice your stream bitrate (Why is my stream lagging). For example:
| Bitrate | Upload speed you need |
|---|---|
| 3,000 kbps | 6 Mbps or more |
| 6,000 kbps | 12 Mbps or more |
| 8,000 kbps (Kick’s limit) | 16 Mbps or more |
Test your upload speed (not download speed) at a site like speedtest.net. A wired Ethernet connection is more stable than Wi-Fi. Kick says a clean 720p 30 fps stream looks better than a 1080p 60 fps stream that stutters.
Computer and equipment
Section titled “Computer and equipment”Kick does not publish minimum PC specs. Its beginner checklist asks for a reliable computer that can run streaming software, a decent microphone, a webcam if you want to be on camera, and a stable connection.
What decides if your computer can stream is mostly the encoder:
- Graphics card encoder (recommended). OBS says hardware encoders take the work off the CPU and give very good quality on modern cards (OBS hardware encoding). NVIDIA NVENC needs a GeForce GTX 750 Ti, 900 series or newer. AMD and Intel cards have their own encoders (AMF and Quick Sync).
- CPU encoder (x264). Works on any computer, but uses a lot of CPU. If your CPU is often above 90% while you stream, Kick suggests a faster preset or a hardware encoder.
- Operating system. OBS Studio supports Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13 and newer, and Ubuntu 24.04 and newer (OBS download page).
- Mac. Kick says to use the x264 encoder on a Mac so that CBR is available.
No computer? You can stream from a phone. See How to stream on Kick from your phone.
Requirements to earn money on Kick
Section titled “Requirements to earn money on Kick”Earning money on Kick has steps. At the time of writing, Kick’s pages use different names for the early steps, so check your Achievements page in the Creator Dashboard for your own progress.
Subscriptions
Section titled “Subscriptions”Kick’s help center says the Enable Subscriptions button appears after you stream for at least 5 hours in total. The hours add up over many streams (How to become a Kick Partner and how Kick streaming works). To receive money, you also set up a Stripe account. If Stripe is not available in your country, you cannot set up subscriptions yet (How to set up Kick subscriptions).
Verification
Section titled “Verification”A verified channel is the next step and is required for the Partner Program. Kick lists the verification milestones on streamer.kick.com/partner, and they have changed over time, so read the current list there or in your Achievements. Kick Partner Program requirements explains each step.
Kick Partner Program (KPP)
Section titled “Kick Partner Program (KPP)”The Partner Program pays you for each stream, based on your audience. At the time of writing, Kick lists these requirements, all in the past 30 days (How to join the Kick Partner Program, streamer.kick.com/partner):
- A verified channel, a completed About section and social links on your profile.
- An average of at least 75 concurrent viewers.
- At least 30 hours streamed.
- At least 25 active subscribers and 250 unique chatters.
- At least 3 VODs and at least 250 followers.
- You follow the Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, DMCA Policy and Partner Program terms.
Meeting the numbers makes you eligible to apply. It does not guarantee a place. Kick also has a Fast Track for creators with an audience on another platform. Kick says it never counts views, follows or watch time from bots or fake accounts toward the program, and it can reverse payouts that relied on them (How we assess KPP eligibility).
For how the money works, see How to make money on Kick and Kick payouts.
What you do not need
Section titled “What you do not need”- Paid software. OBS Studio and Streamlabs Desktop are free.
- A big audience. Anyone with an account can go live.
- A bot or overlays on day one. Add them when you are ready. Set up a chat bot on Kick shows a simple start with KickBot, which has a free plan.
How old do you have to be to stream on Kick?
Kick accounts are for people aged 13 and over, or the age of digital consent in your country if it is higher. If you are under 18, you can only use Kick with the supervision and consent of a parent or legal guardian.
What upload speed do I need to stream on Kick?
At least twice your bitrate. For a 6,000 kbps stream, you need 12 Mbps upload or more.
Do I need to be verified to stream on Kick?
No. Verification is only needed for the Kick Partner Program. Any account can go live.
Does Kick support H.265 or AV1?
No. At the time of writing, Kick supports only H.264 (x264) encoding.