If you’ve ever hung out in a Twitch stream and seen someone drop a bunch of “gifted subs,” you might’ve wondered: what exactly are gifted subs?
Whether you’re a viewer looking to support your favorite creator or a new streamer trying to understand how Twitch monetization works, here’s a breakdown of what gifted subs are and how they impact streamers financially.
What Are Gifted Subs?
A gifted sub is exactly what it sounds like: a Twitch subscription that one viewer purchases and gives to another viewer. Instead of subscribing for themselves, the gifter is paying to unlock sub perks (like emotes, badges, and ad-free viewing) for someone else.
Gifted subs can be:
- Single gifted subs: One sub given to a specific user.
- Gift sub bundles: 5, 10, 20, or even 100 subs gifted at once to random viewers in the chat.
Gifted subs count just like regular subscriptions for the recipient, they get one month of sub benefits, and if they enjoy it, they might renew it themselves later.
How Do Gifted Subs Help Streamers?
Gifted subs are a big win for streamers. When someone gifts subs in your channel:
- You earn revenue from each one (just like a normal sub).
- Your subscriber count goes up, helping with community momentum and hype.
- You may unlock more emote slots as your sub count grows.
- It often sparks a snowball effect, encouraging others to gift or sub too.
They also help create a more engaged community. A viewer who gets a gifted sub may feel more included and is more likely to stick around.
What Do Streamers Earn From Gifted Subs?
Twitch splits sub revenue with streamers. For gifted subs, the split is the same as a normal sub:
- Tier 1 gifted sub: $4.99: Streamers typically earn 50%, or about $2.50.
- Tier 2 and 3 gifted subs: $9.99 and $24.99: Streamers earn proportionally more.
Some larger streamers or Twitch Partners may have custom agreements (like a 70/30 split), but the standard is 50/50.
So if someone gifts 10 Tier 1 subs:
- That’s $49.90 total.
- The streamer earns around $25 (before taxes/fees).
Keep in mind: streamers don’t pay anything to receive gifted subs, it’s all viewer-supported revenue.
Who Gets the Gifted Subs?
When someone gifts multiple subs, Twitch randomly gives them to active viewers in the channel who aren’t already subscribed. The more active you are in chat, the higher your chances of receiving one.
If someone wants to gift a sub to a specific person, they can do that too, just click the username and choose "Gift a Sub."
Can Viewers Opt Out of Gifted Subs?
Yes. If you don’t want to receive gifted subs, you can:
- Go to your Gift Settings on Twitch and select “Disable Subscription Benefits” for specific channels.
- You can ''Block Receiving Gifts on Channels You don't Follow'' through your Settings > Security and Privacy.
But most viewers enjoy the perks, so it’s pretty rare to opt out.
Final Thoughts
Gifted subs are one of the easiest and most impactful ways viewers can support streamers. They boost income, help grow the community, and give others a taste of sub benefits, often turning casual viewers into loyal fans.
If you’re a streamer, gifted subs can be a major part of your monetization. And if you’re a viewer, gifting just one sub can make someone’s day while helping your favorite creator thrive.