Twitch bits play an integral role in the streaming platform’s economics, but those new to the streaming scene may wonder what exactly they are and how they help streamers.
Streaming has risen to the top of the content creation chain, giving creators a way to stream themselves live for millions of viewers to see. There are multiple streaming platforms available, from the relatively restriction-free Kick to the familiar YouTube, but most would argue that Twitch is still the most popular platform for livestreaming specfically.
Streamers have multiple ways to make money on Twitch, but one of the most common is through donations from viewers. Those donations aren’t always made directly, but instead are transferred into a form of digital currency that’s exclusive to Twitch, called bits. Our guide will help you to understand what exactly these bits are on Twitch, and how much does each bit actually earn for the streamers they’re given to.
A Twitch bit is essentially a form of virtual currency exclusive to streaming platform Twitch, which viewers can purchase for use as donations for their favorite streamers.
Twitch
Looking like colorful crystals, these bits are used to “cheer” streamers on while they’re live. These virtual cheers pop up on the stream in various forms, including through animated predetermined emotes or by way of custom emotes if the streamer is a Twitch partner and has set up something unique for their viewers. These are often used to celebrate special moments, but some viewers just use them as a way to more broadly support their favorite streamers.
In addition to cheers, bits are also occasionally used with certain Twitch extensions. Ranging from poll extensions where viewers spend bits to vote, to mini-game extensions through which viewers can participate with bits, some streamers find imaginative and creative ways to have their viewers interact with their streams while earning valuable bits in the process.
Many streamers showcase their top supporters through leaderboards that everyone can see either on the stream or through the stream’s “about” page on Twitch. Those who donate the most are recognized by a higher placement on the leaderboard, giving viewers further incentive to donate more. For some, being placed high on a popular streamer’s bits leaderboard means the streamer noticed them. Others just want the feeling of having directly contributed to their favorite streamer continuing to do what they do.
While many streamers still utilize third-party donation methods like PayPal, bits can potentially be safer. Bits offer protection against trolls who want to charge-back funds they’ve sent or otherwise cause potential payment issues after making false donations. Bits can also makes it easier for viewers globally to donate to streamers without facing payment issues related to different currencies spread across the world’s many regions.
While 1 bit is always worth $0.01 for the streamer, viewers must pay extra to make up for tax and Twitch’s share, both of which affect how much a Twitch bit is effectively worth.
Twitch
Viewers can purchase bits through multiple default bundles, including bundles of 100, 500, or even 5,000 bits bits. While these bits translate to $1, $5, and $50 respectively for the streamers receiving them, viewers must pay extra to account for taxes and Twitch’s share of the money. The exact amount viewers must pay to buy Twitch bit bundles depends on the bundle and the currency they’re using to pay, though Twitch usually takes a cut of between 20% and 40% of the bit’s $0.01 value.
Twitch bit prices can potentially be increased or decreased by users opting to purchase Twitch gift cards from third-party sellers and totaling up bits that way.
This cut being given to Twitch is a one-time process and only applies to the users who purchase the bits. This way, streamers get the promised $0.01 without having to deduct anything themselves. The only thing streamers must keep in mind here is that certain extensions that utilize bits give streamers 80% of the bit’s $0.01 value, while the extension’s developer receives the remaining 20%, further cutting into the value of a bit for the streamer.
Being eligible to acquire bits on Twitch requires streamers to at least be affiliates on the platform, while cashing out on the earnings has a different prerequisite related to payment thresholds.
Twitch
Becoming a Twitch affiliate is fairly straightforward, even if partner status demands more work. It requires streamers to meet such requirements as having at least 50 unique followers, an average of three or more consecutive viewers, and 500 total minutes streamed. Once a channel hits affiliate status, the streamer’s channel automatically unlocks bits cheering and other monetization options that they can check on in their channel’s settings.
But even after unlocking bits, streamers can’t cash out on their earnings before hitting the $50 minimum payment threshold. After accruing at least $50 worth of bits, subs, and ad revenue in their accounts, streamers can enter their bank account details to withdraw their available balance. Notably, this balance carries over from one month to the next, so this $50 requirement doesn’t have to be met in just a single month.
While streamers have the freedom to customize their stream’s visuals and emojis however they like, Twitch has a handful of default bit icons with different colors and shapes to show cheer amounts.
Twitch
Below is a list of what all the default Twitch bit icons are and what they mean:
Some Twitch streamers also make it so that viewers get certain badges depending on the number of bits they’ve donated. This varies from streamer to streamer. For example, donating 1,000 bits may give a viewer a bronze badge on one stream, while donating 5,000 bits may earn them a silver elsewhere.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
