Twitch revenue is more complex than YouTube’s RPM-by-niche model. Three streams (subs, bits, ads) with different splits, plus the recent 2023 standardisation of partner sub splits at 50/50 (with the older 70/30 grandfathered for legacy partners). The calculator above models all three.
Three revenue streams
Subscriptions are the dominant stream. Three tiers: - Tier 1: $3.99/month - Tier 2: $7.99/month - Tier 3: $19.99/month
Creator share depends on programme tier: - Standard / Affiliate / new Partners post-2023: 50/50 - Plus Programme below $75k threshold: 50/50 - Plus Programme above threshold: 60/40 - Legacy partners (grandfathered pre-2023): 70/30
Bits are Twitch’s micro-tipping currency. Subscribers buy bits in bundles (~$0.0114 each effective), then “cheer” them in chat. Creator receives ~$0.0080 per bit (~70% of the purchase price). 1,000 bits cheered = $8 to creator.
Ads pay creators per impression. US CPMs around $1.50 per 1,000 impressions creator-side (Plus Programme ~9% higher). Ad revenue is typically the smallest of the three streams for established streamers.
Typical revenue split for active streamers
For a streamer with 50 Tier 1 subs averaging:
| Stream | Monthly | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Subs | $100 | 41% |
| Bits | $40 | 16% |
| Ads | $75 | 31% |
| Sponsorships (not modelled) | varies | typically 10-30% |
Sponsorships sit outside this calculator and often dominate revenue for top-tier streamers. Below ~1,000 active viewers, sponsorships are uncommon; most income comes from the three platform-paid streams.
Subs vs ads — the tier-2 trap
Subscribers self-select into Tier 1 ($3.99) overwhelmingly. Across Twitch, Tier 1 represents ~95% of subs by count. Tier 2 (~5%), Tier 3 (~1%). Don’t optimize content for “more Tier 3 subs” — they don’t move the needle. Optimize for total subscriber count instead.
Plus Programme threshold
The Plus Programme split (60/40 above $75k revenue) creates a modest cliff. Below the threshold, you’re at 50/50. Cross the threshold and the next pound earns 60/40 — until the rolling 12-month window resets.
For most streamers this is purely theoretical. The threshold equates to ~$75k/year in TWITCH revenue (i.e. after Twitch’s cut) — which means you need to be one of the larger US streamers to hit it.
Sponsorships, donations, and merch (not modelled)
The biggest revenue streams for established streamers:
- Sponsorships — direct deals with gaming companies, peripheral brands, food brands. Negotiated outside Twitch.
- Donations — via Streamlabs, StreamElements, Ko-fi widgets. Platform takes 0%; YOUR processor (PayPal, Stripe) takes its cut.
- Merch — print-on-demand or fulfillment; revenue depends on your store setup. See Printful profit calculator.
- YouTube secondary — many Twitch creators clip and upload to YouTube for additional ad revenue. See YouTube RPM calculator.
For tax: all of this stacks. Use the multi-platform tax aggregator for the combined view.