Twitch, the world’s largest streaming platform, has multiple ways viewers can support creators. One of those is ‘bits’, but what are they, how much are they worth, and how do they support streamers?
Just like other social media platforms, like TikTok with its gifts feature, Twitch has bits, which work as a currency within the platform.
But what exactly are bits and how much do they cost? Here’s everything you need to know.
Contents
- What are bits on Twitch?
- How much are Twitch bits worth?
- Where to buy Twitch bits
- How do bits support Twitch streamers?
What are bits on Twitch?
Bits are essentially a virtual currency that Twitch uses as an alternative way viewers can financially support creators and streamers.
While viewers can support their favorite streamers through tiered subscriptions, Twitch Prime subscriptions, or real-money donations, bits are “cheered”, rather than donated.
The cheering of bits unlocks emoticons, badges and more for the viewer, in a similar way to a subscription unlocking exclusive emotes that can then be used in chat.
How much are Twitch bits worth?
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As bits essentially are a virtual currency, they have a real-world value. They can be earned by watching streams or adverts, but the amount earned will be fairly low, and a lot of channels prevent bit cheers below a certain amount.
The majority of viewers purchase their bits, which they can then cheer to a streamer of their choice. Bit values change slightly because of real-world currencies and their conversion rates, but a rough guide to bit costs in USD is provided below.
| Bits | Cost (USD) |
| 100 | 1.40 |
| 500 | 7.00 |
| 1,500 | 19.95 |
| 5,000 | 64.40 |
| 10,000 | 126.00 |
| 25,000 | 308.00 |
Where to buy Twitch bits
Bits can be bought directly on your Twitch account, just make sure you’re logged in before following these simple steps
How do bits support Twitch streamers?
As you’d expect, streamers receive real-world money for bits being cheered in their streams. Twitch Partners and Affiliates will receive $0.01 for every bit that is cheered on their channel. Therefore 100 bits gives the streamer in question $1. 500 bits gives a streamer $5 and so on.
So for every 100 bits purchased, $0.40 goes to Twitch, while $1 goes to the creator in question. This differs from subscriptions, which can see the value given to the streamer vary depending on the contract they have agreed with the platform.
In short, bits are a great way for fans to support creators and an alternative to subscriptions or donations.
The downside to bits is that they still give a chunk to Amazon (which owns Twitch), rather than the streamer. If you want to donate all the money directly to the broadcaster, a straightforward cash donation is better. Bits, though, have the other benefits of chat badges and leaderboards, so if you want these, you’ll need to pay the premium.