How to set custom resolution in OBS

OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software, is a powerful tool for live recording and streaming. Here's why and how to set a custom resolution in OBS, such as 1600x900.

Why use custom resolution?

Custom resolutions can be more useful than you think. For example, if you're recording a source larger than your monitor's resolution, you'll need to set a custom resolution to use a larger canvas for your scene. One such example is recording a 4K webcam while using a 1440p display.

Similarly, you may need to record at an aspect ratio you wouldn't normally have, such as 9:16 to create a TikTok or stream to TikTok using your OBS setup. However, there is an OBS plug-in for simultaneous recording at 9:16 and live streaming at 16:9.

Finally, and most usefully, custom resolutions can help optimize your stream quality considering Twitch's bitrate limits. Twitch's maximum bitrate is 6320kbps, allocating 6000kbps for video and 320kbps for audio. If streaming at 1080p60, 6000kbps may be susceptible to pixelation. 720p may not be detailed enough for your quality standards, so consider streaming at medium at 900p (1600x900) for the best balance between pixel density and smoothness.

How to set custom resolution

In Settings , go to the Video tab. You'll see two resolution drop-down boxes, containing standard resolutions scaled according to the screen's aspect ratio. These drop-down boxes are actually typeable too! If you need to increase the canvas size or use a different aspect ratio, double-click the Base (Canvas) Resolution box and enter 3840x2160 for 4K at 16:9 or 1080x1920 for 9:16 portrait orientation.

Changing the aspect ratio or increasing the resolution will require you to reorganize your scenes - in a normal 16:9 aspect ratio, the bottom camera source is centered and full screen but is now visible. converted to 9:16 ratio. You'll also need to increase the bitrate if you plan to shoot in 4K.

If you scale your 1920x1080 canvas down to 900p, you can avoid recomposing your scenes and just adjust the output resolution - you can still record at base 1080p while streaming at 1600x900. Go to Output and set Output Mode to Advanced to unlock additional settings.

Next, in the Streaming tab , check the Rescale Output box and double-click the text. Enter 1600x900 for 900p to optimize Twitch's 6000kbps video bitrate limit for the best balance between visual fidelity and smoothness.

OBS tries to help you adjust your resolution to your available monitor, but that's not always what you need. Whether you need greater resolution, non-standard or optimized resolution, consider customizing your resolution in OBS.

Micah Soto

Update 14 August 2024