RaceLab Support – Custom URL Overlay (Streaming – Any platform)

Custom URL Overlay (Streaming – Any platform)

The Custom URL overlay lets you load almost any web page or web widget directly into your stream as an overlay. This can include alert widgets, countdown timers, statistics dashboards, web-based chat tools, or other browser-based tools that you want visible on top of your game or webcam.

Platform independent: the Custom URL overlay works like a normal browser source. As long as your streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs, etc.) can show the RaceLab overlay URL, it will work with Twitch, YouTube, Kick, or any other platform you stream to.

What the Custom URL overlay is for

  • Embedding third-party alert widgets or “now playing” displays.
  • Showing live stats pages (timing, standings, weather, etc.).
  • Including a countdown timer or schedule from a web page.
  • Displaying text or graphics from your own small web tools.
  • Combining multiple web elements inside one RaceLab-driven overlay layout.

Instead of adding many separate browser sources in OBS, you can let RaceLab handle one combined layout and give OBS only a single overlay URL.

1. Requirements

  • RaceLab app installed and running.
  • Streaming software such as OBS Studio or Streamlabs.
  • A layout in RaceLab that you use for stream overlays (separate from your main driving layout if possible).
  • The external web page or widget URL you want to embed.

2. Important notes before you embed URLs

  • Only use URLs from sites you trust.
  • Some pages may block embedding in iframes (they simply won’t show).
  • Very heavy pages can increase CPU/GPU usage in OBS.
  • Keep overlays simple and focused – avoid loading full complex websites if you only need one small widget.

3. Create a layout with Custom URL

  1. Open the RaceLab App.
  2. Go to the Layouts section.
  3. Create a new layout (for example: “Stream – Custom URL Widgets”) or edit your existing stream layout.
  4. Click Add widget.
  5. Select the Custom URL overlay from the widget list.
  6. Position the Custom URL widget where you want the content to appear:
    • Top-right area for alerts / stats, or
    • Centre of the screen for a “feature” panel.
  7. Resize the widget area to roughly match the size of the web content you plan to embed.
  8. Save the layout.
Tip – one layout for multiple widgets You can add more than one Custom URL widget if you want several separate web tools on the same layout (for example a timer plus a stats panel). Just keep an eye on performance if the pages are heavy.

4. Enter the external URL in RaceLab

  1. With your layout open, select the Custom URL widget.
  2. Find the field where you can enter the web address (URL) for that widget.
  3. Paste or type the full URL of the widget or page you want to display.
  4. Check the preview in RaceLab:
    • If the site allows embedding, you should see it appear.
    • If it stays blank or shows an error, that site may not support being loaded as an embedded overlay.
  5. Adjust the widget size inside RaceLab if parts of the page are cut off.
  6. Save the layout after the URL is set and looks correct.

5. Add the Custom URL overlay to OBS / Streamlabs

  1. In RaceLab, open the layout that contains your Custom URL widget(s).
  2. Copy the overlay URL / browser link for that layout.
  3. Open OBS Studio (or your streaming software).
  4. Select the scene where you want the Custom URL content to appear.
  5. Click Add > Browser Source.
  6. Name it something like “RaceLab – Custom URL overlay”.
  7. Paste the RaceLab overlay URL into the URL field.
  8. Set an initial size that matches what you used in RaceLab, for example:
    • Single widget: width 800–1200, height 400–700 px.
    • Multiple widgets: adjust width/height so everything fits on screen.
  9. Press OK and position the browser source on your scene.
Tip – test in a private or unlisted stream Some external widgets behave differently when you are actually live. Do a short test stream or recording to make sure the embedded page updates correctly and does not cause stutters.

6. Updating or changing the URL during a stream

  1. Keep RaceLab open while you are live.
  2. Open the layout that contains the Custom URL widget.
  3. Edit the URL field to point to a different widget or page.
  4. Save the layout. The browser source in OBS will refresh and load the new content (may take a moment).
  5. Check your preview to make sure the new content fits and looks right before you switch scenes or stay on it for long.

7. Common problems and quick fixes

  • Nothing appears in the overlay:
    The external site may block embedding in iframes. Try a different widget or check if the service has a special “embed” URL.
  • Page looks zoomed or cut off:
    Adjust the widget area size in RaceLab and match the Browser Source width / height in OBS. Some pages also respond to different resolutions.
  • Overlay causes stuttering:
    Heavy web pages can use more CPU/GPU. Try a lighter version of the widget, simplify the layout, or limit how long the overlay stays on screen.
  • Overlay shows the wrong content:
    Confirm you edited the URL for the correct widget in the correct layout. Also double-check you copied the right RaceLab overlay URL into OBS.
  • Privacy / security concerns:
    Only embed URLs you trust. Avoid pages that require you to log in with sensitive accounts directly inside the overlay.

This page was created by a RaceLab community member Scottozy, based on personal experience using RaceLab overlays together with publicly available documentation and community feedback. It is an unofficial help page and is not an official RaceLab publication.

Sources & references

  • RaceLab – information about embedding external web content using Custom URL.
  • RaceLab community examples of using Custom URL overlays for timers, stats and external widgets.
  • Practical testing by sim-racers combining RaceLab Custom URL overlays with OBS / Streamlabs on multiple platforms.