There are three ways to stream on YouTube: use a webcam, your mobile device or an encoder (streaming software or a hardware encoder). Using an encoder lets you:
- Share your screen or broadcast your gameplay
- Use external audio and video hardware
- Manage an advanced production (like a few cameras and microphones)
The steps below will help you get started with your first live stream.
1. Enable live streaming
Enabling a live stream for the first time may take up to 24 hours. Once enabled, your stream can go live instantly. Learn how to start live streaming.
2. Install an encoder
An encoder converts your video into a digital format to stream on YouTube. Some encoders are software apps on your computer, while others are standalone hardware.
Watch this video to learn more about why you should use an encoder and how they work.
Encoder Live Streaming: Basics on How to Set Up & Use an Encoder
YouTube Live verified encoders
Here's a list of YouTube Live verified encoders. None of these products are made by YouTube. Make sure that you evaluate the products and decide which option makes the most sense for you or your business.
Software encoders
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AWS Elemental MediaLive is a broadcast-grade live video processing service, supporting live streaming all the way up to 4Kp60 HEVC. |
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(Mac and iOS) The all-in-one multi-camera video recording, editing and live streaming app. Include up to eight local iPhones, digital cameras and remote guests via Zoom in HD. Add overlays, graphics, audio, video, screens and visual effects. Stream to YouTube, Zoom and RTMP. Save hours building your video library with the in-app editor. |
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Elgato Game Capture Software Record and stream your Xbox, PlayStation or Wii U gameplay. |
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Gamecaster The easiest way to stream and record your greatest gaming moments at the click of a button. Perfect for sharing your gameplay. |
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Best live streaming app for professional-quality live streams from your browser. Invite guests with ease. Packed with features, tons of customisation options, donations and no downloads needed. |
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Open-source software for video recording and live streaming at no charge. |
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Windows PRISM Live Studio is a streaming software for Windows that is recognised for its intuitive user interface and convenient usability. Streamers love this software for its stable streaming quality and attractive features such as beauty and sticker effects, drawing, virtual background, virtual camera and integration with PRISM mobile apps. All the features are given at no charge. |
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The leading live streaming broadcasting studio for creators and businesses. Stream live to 30+ platforms simultaneously from our cloud studio. Invite guests, add overlays, play videos and professionalise your stream – at no charge, and it's easy to use. |
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Easily produce and distribute broadcast quality live streams. You can invite guests from anywhere, drag-and-drop media and graphics, add live commerce to your streams, interact with audiences and earn revenue. |
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Streamlabs Streamlabs is the leading broadcast software for streamers. There's no charge, it's open source, and packed with powerful features to help you grow, get to know and monetise. |
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Wirecast Easy-to-use, award-winning live streaming and production software. Add cameras, live screenshots, titles, graphics and more at the click of a button. Stream directly to YouTube or any RTMP destination. Works with the YouTube API so you can manage, create and schedule or stream your live channel without leaving the app. |
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XSplit Broadcaster Revolutionary audio/video-mixing app that allows you to create professional live broadcasts and video recordings. |
Hardware encoders
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AirServer Mirror your mobile device or computer to YouTube. |
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AWS Elemental Live is an on-premises video encoder that processes live video for broadcast and streaming to any device. |
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The Pearl-2 is a video switcher, recorder, streamer, splitter and scaler all in one. This software offers six video inputs and four for XLR professional audio, 4K streaming and recording, NDI support, chroma keying, and much more. Pearl-2 brings the pro features and processing power required for the most demanding live streams. |
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Best-in-class, plug-and-play video encoder offering one-touch, wireless live streaming directly from your camera/switcher to YouTube and other online destinations. Reliably stream from anywhere using the same LRT™ bonding technology used by major broadcasters. |
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NVIDIA GPUs contain a hardware-based encoder (NVENC) which provides fully accelerated hardware-based video encoding, enabling higher quality live streaming and better game performance without the need to utilise your CPU. |
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The industry's first portable, wireless multi-camera broadcasting platform. Monitor, record, switch, edit and stream live HD-quality video wirelessly to YouTube. |
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Stream in broadcast quality on the go from any camera, switcher or video source. Compact and portable, the Vidiu Go supports full 1080p60 SDI and HDMI workflows for the most discerning user. |
Mobile encoders
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AirServer Mirror your mobile device to YouTube. |
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iOS, Android PRISM Live Studio is one of the most popular mobile apps optimised for IRL and gaming streaming. It is loved by streamers for its stable streaming quality and attractive features such as decoration and beauty effects, source overlay and chroma key. All the features are given at no charge. |
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Streamlabs Built on OBS, and combines Streamlabs alerts, shortcuts, tipping, face masks and thousands of themes and overlays at no charge. |
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Wirecast Go There's no charge when downloaded from iOS App Store. Easily produce professional live broadcasts from your iPhone and stream them to YouTube. Switch shots, add photos, graphics and more on up to three layers at a time for powerful mobile production. Read YouTube comments and chat in real time and interact with your audience. Schedule, create and manage your YouTube live streams directly inside the app. Upgrade from the no-charge version to stream to any RTMP destination. |
3. Connect your hardware
If you're using hardware, like a webcam, a microphone or a headset, connect it and make sure that it's set up with your encoder.
Depending on your stream, you may use different hardware. Here are some typical examples:
Gaming and casual live streams
Many streamers use an external microphone, webcam and headphones. Gamers may also use other tools like a green screen.
Professional live streams
Advanced stream setups can include more than one microphone, camera, mixer and hardware encoder.
4. Connect your encoder and go live
To start streaming, enter your YouTube Live server URL and stream key into your encoder. If you have audio and video hardware, set it up with your encoder, also known as streaming software.
Start live streaming now
First, create a stream
- Go to YouTube Studio.
- From the top right, click CREATE
Go live
to open the Live Control Room.
- Click the Stream tab.
- If it's your first live stream: Edit your stream and click Create stream.
If you've live streamed before: Your previous stream settings will load, including your stream key, which means that you won't need to update your encoder. - If you're in the YouTube Partner Programme, you can monetise your live stream. Learn more.
Go live 
to open the Live Control Room.Next, connect your stream to your encoder, then go live
- In your encoder stream settings, if you see the option to stream to YouTube, select that. Otherwise, copy the stream URL from YouTube and paste it into your encoder's Stream settings server. It may say 'RTMP server'.
- Copy the stream key from YouTube and paste it into your encoder's Stream settings where it says 'Stream key'.
- Set up your encoder, then start the stream with your encoder. A watch page is now created for your stream and you're now live on YouTube. Notifications will be sent and your stream will show up in subscriber feeds.
- To end the stream, stop sending content from your encoder. All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived. You can find previous, current and upcoming streams in the Live tab on your YouTube Studio dashboard. Learn more.
Schedule a live stream
Scheduling a stream lets you promote your stream. Viewers can get reminders on upcoming streams, you can share the URL on social media and more.
Schedule a stream
- Go to YouTube Studio.
- From the top right, click CREATE
to open the Live Control Room.
- Click the Manage tab.
- Click Schedule stream.
- You can reuse settings from a previous stream and click Reuse settings, or you can create a stream by clicking Create new.
- If you're in the YouTube Partner Programme, you can monetise your live stream. Learn more.
to open the Live Control Room.Tip: Get your audience excited about your upcoming live stream by showing a trailer. Learn more.
When it's time to start your stream...
Connect your stream to your encoder, then go live.
- In your encoder stream settings, if you see the option to stream to YouTube, select that. Otherwise, copy the stream URL from YouTube and paste it into your encoder's stream settings server. It may say 'RTMP server'.
- Copy the stream key from YouTube and paste it into your encoder's Stream settings where it says 'Stream key'.
- Set up your encoder, then start the stream.
- In Live Control Room, wait for the stream preview to show up, then click Go live.
- To end the stream, click End Stream and stop sending content from your encoder. All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived. You can access previous, current and upcoming streams in the Live tab on your YouTube Studio dashboard. Learn more.
Use the Live Control Panel
When you live stream, you can use a compact version of the Live Control Room (Live Control Panel) to minimise the display area that you need for your stream. The Live Control Panel shows you important info from the Live Control Room, such as Views and Chat revenue, in a smaller display area.
To turn on the Live Control Panel:
- In the Live Control Room, go to the stream dashboard.
- In the lower left-hand corner, click Pop-out dashboard
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.To close the Live Control Panel, exit out of the window.