Twitch Earnings Calculator

How Twitch Streamers Make Money

Twitch creators earn through subscriptions (subs), bits (cheers), ad revenue, and other sources such as donations or sponsorships. Each source has its own rules and revenue share. This calculator helps you combine them into a monthly and yearly estimate.

Main Revenue Streams

Subscriptions are recurring: viewers pay monthly (e.g. $4.99) and the streamer receives a share (typically 50%, so about $2.50 per $4.99 sub). Bits are one-time virtual cheers; Twitch takes a cut and the rest goes to the streamer. Ad revenue is earned when you run mid-roll or pre-roll ads; the amount depends on CPM and viewer count. Many streamers also receive donations via PayPal, Streamlabs, or similar—enter these under "Other" for a full picture.

• Subs: Recurring revenue; 50% share is common for $4.99 subs (regional pricing may vary).
• Bits: Your share after Twitch's cut; enter the amount you actually receive per month.
• Ads: Partner/Affiliate ad revenue; use your dashboard or estimate from CPM and impressions.
• Other: Donations, sponsorships, merchandise, etc.

Recurring vs. One-Time Income

Subscriptions are the most stable source: viewers renew monthly (unless they cancel), so your sub count and sub revenue can be projected more easily. Bits and one-time donations fluctuate with events, giveaways, or viral moments. Ad revenue depends on how often you run ads and how many viewers see them. For planning, use your average monthly subs and a typical month for bits and ads; for conservative estimates, use slightly lower numbers.

Why Estimate Your Twitch Earnings?

• Plan your streaming schedule and goals based on potential income.
• See how subs, bits, and ads contribute to total revenue.
• Set realistic expectations before going full-time or investing in equipment.
• Compare different scenarios (e.g. more subs vs. more ad revenue).

Twitch revenue share varies by product and sometimes by agreement. The table below gives typical values; check your contract or dashboard for your exact share.

Premium or custom agreements can change sub and ad shares. Always refer to your Twitch creator dashboard for your actual revenue.

Twitch Affiliate is the first step: you get access to subscriptions, bits, and ad revenue. Requirements typically include 50 followers, 500 minutes broadcast in the last 30 days, 7 unique broadcast days, and an average of 3 or more concurrent viewers. Partner is the next level, with higher requirements (e.g. 75+ concurrent viewers, consistent streaming) and can come with a custom revenue share or benefits. Both require compliance with Twitch's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines; violations can lead to loss of monetization or ban.

Viewers can subscribe at different price points: $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 (or local equivalent). The streamer's share is typically 50% for the $4.99 tier (about $2.50 per sub); $9.99 and $24.99 tiers may have a higher creator share (e.g. 60% or more) depending on agreement. This calculator uses $2.50 per sub as a default; if you have many Tier 2 or Tier 3 subs, your average per sub will be higher. Payouts are usually made monthly, once your balance reaches the minimum threshold (e.g. $50 or $100); payment can take additional days depending on your method (e.g. ACH, wire).

Regional pricing (e.g. Turkey, India) can be lower; your share is based on the amount received by Twitch in your payout currency. Chargebacks and refunds can deduct from your balance.

• Consistent schedule: Streaming at predictable times helps viewers return and subscribe; consistency is one of the biggest factors in growth.
• Engage your community: Responding to chat, remembering regulars, and creating a welcoming atmosphere encourage subs and bits.
• Sub incentives: Emotes, sub-only chat or Discord, and occasional sub goals can motivate viewers to subscribe.
• Ad strategy: Running ads during natural breaks (e.g. between games) can reduce viewer drop-off; avoid too many pre-rolls if you want to retain new viewers.
• Diversify: Don't rely only on Twitch; build a presence on YouTube, Twitter, or TikTok to bring in new viewers and sponsors.
• Track your numbers: Use the Twitch dashboard and tools like StreamElements to see which streams and games drive the most subs and revenue.

The formula for estimating Twitch revenue is: