Twitch Ad Revenue Calculator
How Twitch Ad Revenue Works
Pre-Roll and Mid-Roll Ads
Twitch streamers earn ad revenue through two primary ad formats. Pre-roll ads play automatically when a new viewer joins your stream — Twitch controls the frequency and delivery, and streamers earn based on how many viewers see the ad. Running mid-roll ads can disable pre-rolls for a set period, giving new viewers an ad-free entry into your stream.
Mid-roll ads are triggered by the streamer during their broadcast, either manually or on a schedule. You can run 30 seconds to 3 minutes of ads at a time. Running more frequent, shorter ad breaks tends to retain more viewers than infrequent, longer breaks.
What Is CPM and Why It Matters
Revenue is calculated using CPM (cost per mille) — the amount advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions. Average Twitch CPMs range from $2 to $5, though rates vary significantly by content category, viewer demographics, and time of year. Q4 (October through December) consistently has the highest CPMs due to increased holiday advertising spend, while Q1 (January through March) typically sees the lowest rates.
Factors That Affect Your Earnings
Your ad revenue depends on several factors: average concurrent viewers, stream duration and frequency, ad format and placement timing, viewer retention during ad breaks, your content category, and seasonal advertising demand. Streamers with higher viewer counts in advertiser-friendly categories during peak seasons will see the best returns. Use the calculator above to model your specific scenario, or check our Twitch Sub Calculator to estimate subscription income alongside ad revenue.
Twitch CPM Rates by Category and Season
Average CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions) ranges for Twitch ads. Rates vary by content category and time of year due to advertiser demand cycles. Use these as reference points when setting values in the calculator above.
| Category | Q1 (Jan–Mar) | Q2 (Apr–Jun) | Q3 (Jul–Sep) | Q4 (Oct–Dec) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaming | $2.00 – $3.50 | $2.50 – $4.00 | $2.50 – $4.00 | $3.50 – $6.00 |
| Just Chatting | $2.50 – $4.00 | $3.00 – $5.00 | $3.00 – $5.00 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
| Creative / Art | $2.00 – $3.00 | $2.50 – $3.50 | $2.50 – $3.50 | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| Music | $1.50 – $2.50 | $2.00 – $3.00 | $2.00 – $3.00 | $2.50 – $4.00 |
| Esports / Competitive | $3.00 – $5.00 | $3.50 – $5.50 | $3.50 – $5.50 | $5.00 – $8.00 |
CPM ranges are approximate and based on industry averages. Actual rates depend on viewer demographics, geographic location, ad inventory supply, and advertiser demand. Just Chatting and Esports tend to command higher CPMs due to advertiser-friendly demographics and higher engagement rates.
Twitch Ad Revenue by Viewer Count
Estimated monthly ad revenue based on average concurrent viewers. Ranges reflect different CPM rates, ad frequencies, and seasonal variations. Assumes 20 stream days per month, 4 hours per stream, and 3 minutes of mid-roll ads per hour.
| Avg. Viewers | Monthly Low | Monthly High |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $4 | $16 |
| 25 | $10 | $40 |
| 50 | $20 | $80 |
| 100 | $40 | $160 |
| 250 | $100 | $400 |
| 500 | $200 | $800 |
| 1,000 | $400 | $1,600 |
| 5,000 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| 10,000 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
Low estimates use conservative CPM and minimal ad breaks. High estimates reflect optimized timing and Q4 seasonal rates. Actual revenue varies — use the calculator above for projections based on your specific setup. Want to add subscription income to these numbers? Try our Twitch Sub Calculator for a complete earnings picture, or browse our stream overlay packages to level up your channel.
Understanding Our Estimation Model
How it Works
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Stream Settings
Enter your average viewers, stream hours, and days per month. The calculator uses this data along with real viewer retention patterns to establish your baseline revenue potential. -
Ad Break Controls
Customize your pre-roll and mid-roll settings. Enable or disable pre-rolls, adjust CPM rates, and set mid-roll minutes per hour to match your actual streaming setup. The calculator shows immediate revenue impact of each change. -
Revenue Optimization
Fine-tune your earnings with optional features like Smart Ad Break Timing and Peak Hours Bonus. These settings reflect real Twitch advertising patterns and help you understand when ads perform best. -
Detailed Reports
Export comprehensive PDF reports with complete breakdowns of your estimated earnings. Perfect for tracking different strategies or planning your content schedule.
