Best OBS Studio Color Space Settings

Choosing the correct color space in OBS Studio is crucial for ensuring your stream or recording displays accurate, vibrant, and consistent colors across all devices. This article explains the best color space settings in OBS Studio—specifically comparing Rec. 709, sRGB, and Rec. 2100—and provides a straightforward recommendation based on whether you are streaming in standard definition (SDR) or high dynamic range (HDR).

The Recommended Setting: Rec. 709

For the vast majority of creators, Rec. 709 is the best color space to choose in OBS Studio.

Rec. 709 is the universal standard for high-definition (HD) television and internet video. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube (SDR), Facebook Live, and Kick are built to receive and display video in the Rec. 709 color space. Selecting Rec. 709 ensures that the colors you see in your OBS preview will match what your viewers see on their phones, monitors, and TVs.

When to Use sRGB

While sRGB is the standard color space for web browsers, PCs, and gaming monitors, it is not the standard for video broadcasting.

If you select sRGB in OBS Studio, your video encoder will still translate the output to a video format, which can sometimes result in minor color shifts, washed-out highlights, or inaccurate shadow detail on certain playback devices. It is highly recommended to stick with Rec. 709 instead of sRGB for standard video output.

When to Use Rec. 2100 (HDR)

You should only select Rec. 2100 (PQ or HLG) if you are specifically streaming or recording in High Dynamic Range (HDR).

• Rec. 2100 (PQ): This is the preferred standard for HDR gaming and streaming on platforms that support HDR, such as YouTube.
• Requirements: To use this setting effectively, you must have an HDR-compatible monitor, have HDR enabled in Windows, and use an HDR-compatible capture card or game.

If you are not actively producing HDR content, avoid Rec. 2100, as it will make standard SDR streams look incredibly washed out and gray.

Don’t Forget the Color Range Setting

Alongside color space, you will see a setting for “Color Range” (Limited/Partial vs. Full).

• Set this to Limited (often labeled as “Partial” depending on your OBS version).
• While “Full” sounds superior, most video players and streaming platforms expect a Limited color range. Using “Full” can result in “color clipping,” which crushes your blacks and blows out your whites, making your video look overly dark and contrasty. Only use “Full” if you are recording locally for professional video editing software that you know is configured to handle full-range RGB video.