Twitch Badges Explained: Sub, Cheer, and Custom Designs
👋 Hey you! Badges might look like small icons, but they play a big role in making your Twitch community feel special. If you’ve ever wondered what sub badges or cheer badges really are — or how to create custom designs — you’re in the right place.
The problem you currently have: You’ve seen colorful little icons next to usernames in Twitch chat, but you’re not sure what they mean or how to get your own for your channel.
Our objective today: In this guide, we’ll break down Twitch badges: the different types, how they work, why they’re important for your community, and how to upload custom designs. By the end of this article, you’ll understand everything about sub badges, cheer badges, and how to brand your stream with designs that make your community feel valued.
⚠️ You must be a monetized streamer to have custom designs.
What Are Twitch Badges?
Twitch badges are tiny icons displayed next to a viewer’s name in chat. They highlight status, loyalty, or achievements inside your community.
They may look small, but badges add a layer of recognition and excitement that keeps viewers engaged.
The Different Types of Twitch Badges
1. Sub Badges
Show how long someone has been subscribed to your channel.
Usually evolve over time: 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, and so on.
Example: A crystal that grows bigger the longer someone subscribes.
You can also customize Twitch Sub Badge Flair (a special flair overlaid over the top of a Tier 2 or Tier 3 subscriber's subscription badge). With this customization, your viewers can even more stand out in the chat thanks to their strong financial support towards your channel.
2. Cheer Badges
Awarded to viewers who use Bits (Twitch’s donation currency).
Each badge represents a different milestone (1,000 bits, 5,000 bits, 10,000 bits, etc.).
Example: A bronze star for small cheers → silver → gold → diamond.
3. Verified / Founder / Mod / VIP Badges
Pre-set by Twitch (purple check for verified, a “1st” with a pink square background for founders, sword for moderators, diamond for VIPs).
You can’t customize these, but they add structure to your chat roles.
Why Badges Are Important for Streamers
Badges aren’t just cosmetic — they build community loyalty:
Recognition → Viewers feel proud to show off their sub streak or cheer support.
Incentive → People want to stay subbed longer to unlock “cooler” versions of the badge.
Branding → You upload your own designs for subscriber and cheer badges, so they match your theme and reinforce it (kawaii, dark, cozy, fantasy…). Example: Witchy potions, pastel flowers, fantasy weapons — whatever fits your vibe.
Engagement → Chat feels more alive when everyone has unique icons next to their names.
Custom Badges are a real branding opportunity for your channel.
Twitch Badge Requirements (Sizes & Formats)
When uploading your custom badges, Twitch requires three sizes:
72 × 72 px
36 × 36 px
18 × 18 px
Other requirements:
File type: PNG with transparent background.
Max file size: 25 KB per image.
Keep designs simple and readable at tiny sizes.
How to Upload Twitch Badges
To have your own custom badges on your Twitch channel, you must be at least Affiliate.
Go to your Twitch Creator Dashboard.
Navigate to Monetization or search for “badges” in the search bar at the top of your dashboard screen.
Select the badge type (subscriber or cheer).
Upload the required PNG files (72px, 36px, 18px).
Save, and your community can instantly see them in chat.
💡 Tip: Preview your badge at the smallest size (18px) before uploading. If it’s not readable, simplify the design.
Source : Twitch
Where to Get Twitch Badges
You have three main options:
DIY → If you’re artistic and know Photoshop or Illustrator, you can create your own.
Hire a designer → Great for one-of-a-kind designs, but it can get pricey.
Pre-made badge packs → Affordable, quick, and themed for streamers who want a polished look without the cost of full custom work.
👉 I’ve designed themed Twitch badge packs (witchy, cozy, fantasy, kawaii, and more). They’re ready to upload in all the right sizes, so you can give your community recognition instantly!
Using Your Twitch Badges on Other Platforms (Discord, YouTube, and More)
One great advantage of custom Twitch badges is that you can also repurpose them on other platforms where your community hangs out. Because Twitch badges are created in small, scalable PNG formats, they’re easy to adapt for different uses:
Discord → Upload them as server emojis or role icons, so your subscribers can show off their loyalty even outside of Twitch.
YouTube → If you stream or run memberships on YouTube, you can use your badge designs as custom loyalty icons for members.
Social Media → Repurpose them in posts, stickers, or highlights to keep your branding consistent across platforms.
This way, your badges don’t just live in Twitch chat — they become a unifying visual identity for your whole community across multiple platforms.
The problem is solved: Badges no longer feel like a mystery — you now know exactly what they are and how to use them.
What you now know:
The difference between sub, cheer, verified, and custom badges.
Why badges are important for community engagement and branding.
The technical requirements for uploading Twitch badges.
Where to find designs that match your style.
Your next step: Decide on a theme that reflects your channel’s identity, then add custom badges to start rewarding your community. And if you’re looking for ready-made designs, check out my badge packs at Redily Overlay 💛
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Sub badges are loyalty icons that show how long a viewer has been subscribed to your channel (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, etc.).
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Sub badges reward subscribers over time, while cheer badges recognize viewers who support you with Bits donations.
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Badges must be PNG files with a transparent background. You’ll need to upload them in three sizes: 72px, 36px, and 18px.
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Yes! You can repurpose your Twitch badges as Discord emojis, role icons, or even YouTube membership loyalty icons.
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You can create them yourself if you’re a designer, hire a custom artist, or download pre-made badge packs from little shops like mine :)
