To raid on Twitch, type /raid and the channel name in your own chat while you're live. Twitch's docs say a window then shows your viewer count, and the raid happens when you click Raid Now or the 90 second countdown ends. You can cancel before that point.
A raid is Twitch's version of walking a crowd next door and introducing them. When you finish a stream, you send everyone who's still watching to another channel, and the host gets a rush of new faces. It's one of the friendliest habits on the platform, and it's a good way for small creators and business streamers to build relationships with people in the same corner of Twitch.
Here's how it works according to Twitch's own documentation and help pages, what happens on screen during the countdown, and how to choose who to send your viewers to.
What a Twitch raid is and who sees it
Twitch's developer documentation defines a raid as a feature that lets a broadcaster send their viewers over to watch another broadcaster's stream. So the person starting the raid is you, as the broadcaster, and the people moving are whoever is watching your channel at that moment.
Because the viewers are sent across in one go, the channel receiving them sees a burst of activity. That's the whole point. A good raid feels like a warm hand-off, not a stampede, so it helps to tell your chat who you're sending them to and why.
Starting a raid on Twitch from your chat
The classic way to raid is the chat command. Twitch's 2017 raids announcement describes it as typing /raid followed by the channel name in your own chat. Here's the route in order:
- Go live on your channel, since a raid sends the viewers who are watching you.
- Pick the channel you'd like to send people to, and have its exact name ready.
- Click into your chat box and type /raid, a space, and the channel name.
- Press Enter. A window appears in your chat showing your viewer count.
- Wait for the countdown to finish, or click Raid Now to send everyone straight away.
Menus and wording may shift as Twitch updates its interface, so if the command doesn't respond as expected, check Twitch's help centre for the current behaviour.
What the Twitch raid countdown does
Twitch's raid documentation says that starting a raid doesn't move anyone straight away. It opens a window in your chat that shows your viewer count. The raid then happens when you click Raid Now or when the 90 second countdown ends, whichever comes first.
That gap is useful. Use it to say thank you to your audience and to tell them who's next. The documentation also says a raid can be cancelled until you click Raid Now or the countdown ends, so if you spot a problem with your chosen channel, you have a moment to back out.
Raiding from Stream Manager on Twitch
If you'd rather click than type, Twitch's help page for Stream Manager says you can customise Quick Actions, with options such as Raid a Channel, Clip That, Add Stream Marker and Start Watch Party. Open the Quick Actions panel in Stream Manager, add Raid a Channel if it isn't already there, choose the channel and confirm. I like this route for bigger streams, because you can have your raid target lined up while you're still talking to chat.
Choosing who to raid on Twitch
The best raids are the ones the other streamer will be glad to receive. A few habits make that more likely:
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- Pick someone live in the same category or with a similar tone, so your viewers have a reason to stay.
- Raid people you've talked to before, or who raided you.
- Don't send a crowd to a tiny channel that isn't ready for it if the streamer has said they prefer quiet nights.
- Check the channel's page for mature content labels and chat rules first, so you don't surprise your viewers.
Twitch's raid documentation notes that it flags whether the target channel has mature content, and it flags channels that restrict chat to subscribers or followers. That's a clue to look before you leap: if the destination limits who can chat, some of your viewers may not be able to join in.
What to say in chat before a Twitch raid
A raid works best with a short script, so your viewers know what's happening. Something like this works well when you adapt it to your style:
- Thank people for coming, by name where you can.
- Name the channel you're raiding and say in a sentence what they stream.
- Tell people they're welcome to stay in the new chat and say hello.
- Say when you'll be live again so they can follow you back.
If you're streaming for a business, this is the moment to build goodwill with creators in your field. For tips on what channels ask of themselves as they grow, see my guide to the Twitch Partner programme requirements, and for a wider look at where else creators build audiences, see my roundup of Twitch alternatives.
| Way to start a raid | What you do |
|---|---|
| Chat command | Type /raid and the channel name in your own chat |
| Stream Manager | Use the Raid a Channel Quick Action |
| During the countdown | Click Raid Now to go early, or cancel before it ends |
If your Twitch raid won't start
When nothing happens after you type the command, work down this list:
- Check you're live. A raid sends your current viewers, so you need to be broadcasting.
- Check you spelled the channel name exactly, with no extra space at the end.
- Try the Raid a Channel Quick Action in Stream Manager instead of the command.
- Refresh your Creator Dashboard or chat window and try once more.
- Look in Twitch's help centre for the current wording if your layout has changed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I raid someone on Twitch?
While you're live, type /raid and the channel name in your own chat, then press Enter. A window shows your viewer count, and the raid happens when you click Raid Now or the 90 second countdown ends.
Can I cancel a raid on Twitch?
Twitch's raid documentation says a raid can be cancelled until you click Raid Now or the countdown ends.
Can I raid from Stream Manager instead of typing?
Twitch's Stream Manager help lists Raid a Channel among the Quick Actions you can customise, so you can start a raid without typing the command.
Do I need to be live to raid on Twitch?
A raid sends the viewers watching your channel, so in practice you start one while you're streaming.
What should I check before raiding a channel?
Look at the channel's category, chat rules and any mature content label. Twitch flags mature content and chat restrictions such as subscribers-only or followers-only for the target channel.
