If you’ve ever been watching a stream and seen a viewer receive exclusive perks and rewards, you’ve seen channel points in action. You are probably also wondering how you can get your hands on some of these rewards yourself.

If so, you have come to the right place. Here, we will explain everything you need to know about channel points and how to reap their rewards as both a viewer and a streamer.

What Are Twitch Channel Points?

Channel points are rewards points that you get from Twitch in exchange for your time and engagement with a channel. Once you have collected enough channel points, you can redeem them for exclusive rewards within the stream you collected them.

These rewards can vary from highlighting your message to ensure your favorite streamer doesn’t miss your comment, to even reminding them to take a sip of water. Each channel point redemption is set up by the streamer themselves, so they could be anything—as long as they meet Twitch’s Points Acceptable Use Policy.

Woman playing games on PC

Channel points never expire, so you can keep returning to the same channel to rack up as many points as your heart desires. It is important to note, however, that channel points are not transferable to other streams. This means you can’t take channel points you have received in one stream and use them in another.

What Do Streamers Get From Channel Points?

Channel points are in stream rewards points only. They are not transferable to real-world money, so the streamer is not eligible for any monetary gain from channel points spent on their stream. Their main purpose is to engage their audience and keep viewers interested in their stream.

If a streamer has interesting and fun channel point redemptions, viewers are more likely to keep watching and actively participate in the stream. The more engaging the chat is, the more likely new viewers are to stay. And the more viewers a streamer has, the more likely Twitch is to recommend them to others.

So while the streamer doesn’t receive any cash from the use of channel points, their stream will become more engaging for both the viewer and the streamer, which in turn helps grow their channel.

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If you are looking for ways to boost your profits and help support your stream, consider checking out our guide for the Twitch Ads Incentives Program to learn more.

How to Set Up Channel Point Redemptions on Twitch

As a streamer, you will be able to set up channel point redemptions once you reach Affiliate or Partner status. The channel point redemptions are very customizable. You can choose from a list of pre-made channel point redemptions or get creative and make your own.

You are also able to customize the appearance of your channel points icon and rename them to make them more personal to your viewers.

To set up and customize your channel points, follow the instructions below:

  1. Head to your Creator Dashboard by clicking your user icon at the top right of the screen and selecting it from the drop-down menu.
  2. Select Viewer Rewards.
    How to set up channel points on twitch select viewer rewards
  3. Select Channel Points.
  4. Flick the switch to enable your channel points if you haven’t already.
  5. To customize the icon and name of your channel points, select Customize Points Display.
  6. To set up your channel point redemptions, select Manage Rewards & Challenges.
  7. Scroll down to activate default rewards, or select + Add New Custom Reward to make your own.
    How to set up channel points on twitch add custom reward
  8. You will then need to input the name of your redemption and a description, so the viewer knows what they will receive, the cost, and icons. You can also add a cool-down timer for your reward or limit how many times it will be redeemable per stream.
    How to set up channel points on twitch input custom reward

Get creative with your channel point redemptions. Try to engage your audience by using them to host giveaways or allow your viewers to participate in the game you are playing by letting them choose your character or weapon in the next round.

How to Get Channel Points on Twitch

Twitch will reward you with channel points for engaging with a stream, whether you are active in chat or just lurking. While you can gain channel points for just watching a stream, you will collect more channel points faster if you are active in chat, watch the same stream multiple times in a row, participate in raids, and more.

Some channel points are automatically added to your balance. But others will appear as a pop-up next to your points balance which you then have to click to accept.

Below is a rundown on what actions collect channel points and how many:

Watching the Channel: When a viewer watches a stream, they receive 10 points for every 5 minutes of live watch time.

Actively Watching the Channel: When a viewer actively watches a stream, they receive 50 points for every 15 minutes of live watch time. An active watcher refers to one who is chatting.

Participating in a Raid: 250 points are awarded for viewers joining a raid.

Following a Channel: When a viewer follows a channel, they receive 300 channel points.

Watch Streak 2: When a viewer returns for two consecutive streams, they get rewarded 300 channel points. Each instance must be a minimum of 10 minutes in length. The second instance must have ended at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the second stream. This rule applies to all watch streaks.

Watch Streak 3: A viewer can receive 350 channel points if they return to a stream for a third time.

Watch Streak 4: The reward for the Watch Streak 4 is 400 channel points.

Watch Streak 5+: The reward for the Watch Streak 5 reward is 450 channel points.

1st Cheer: The first Cheer on a channel in 30 days is rewarded with 350 channel points. The reward is not given to those cheering anonymously.

1st Gifted Subscription: The viewer can earn 500 channel points for gifting their first subscription in 30 days. The reward is not given to those gifting anonymously.

Subscriber channel point bonuses

Twitch offers three subscription tiers. Each of these tiers increases in price ranging from $4.99 to $24.00. If you are subscribed to a channel, you will earn even more channel points.

  • Tier 1 Sub: Watching increases channel points by 1.2x.
  • Tier 2 Sub: Watching increases channel points by 1.4x.
  • Tier 3 Sub: Watching increases channel points by 2x.

How to Use Channel Points on Twitch

Person playing video games on keyboard

Using your channel points is easy. Your channel points balance will appear in the chat, just to the left of the chat button. Click on your channel points balance, and a pop-up box will appear showing the streamer's channel point redemptions. To redeem, simply click on the redemption you would like to spend your points on.

Using channel points is just one way to engage with people and build a community online. There are also many more ways to make chatting on stream more immersive, like using chat commands on Twitch.

Get Creative With Your Rewards

If you’re a viewer who loves to lurk on stream, consider getting involved and using some of your channel points to gain unique rewards while building friendships on the platform.

If you’re a streamer, try to think of more creative ways to use channel points to have more fun on your stream. The more you engage your audience, the more your channel will grow and the more profits you can collect as a streamer. If that is your ultimate goal, focus on growing your channel; improving your stream and the rest will follow.