Data Size Calculator
Enter roughly how many hours a day you spend on each activity while on mobile data, and the video quality you watch. The calculator adds up your monthly data and suggests a plan size with a little spare.
- GB per month
- By activity
- Plan suggestion
Only count time away from Wi-Fi. Enter hours per day; 0.5 is half an hour.
Video uses far more data than anything else. An hour of HD streaming uses about 3 GB, while an hour of music uses about 70 MB. Someone who streams an hour of HD video a day needs around 90 GB a month for that alone.
Data use chart
Per hour of use. Search for an activity.
| Activity | Per hour | 1 hour a day for a month |
|---|---|---|
| Video, SD | 0.7 GB | 21 GB |
| Video, HD | 3 GB | 90 GB |
| Video, 4K | 7 GB | 210 GB |
| Video calls | 0.8 GB | 24 GB |
| Social media | 0.6 GB | 18 GB |
| Web and email | 0.1 GB | 3 GB |
| Music | 0.07 GB | 2.1 GB |
Figures are typical. Apps use less on data saver settings.
Video hours and data
Per month. Slide the hours.
The phone shows how your data splits between activities.
How to estimate your data
Hours × rate × 30. Step through it.
List activities
On mobile data.
Check your phone's data usage screen for last month's real figure, then compare.
SD, HD or 4K
Video quality. Compare them.
480p, fine on a small screen.
1080p, sharp.
Very sharp, big screens.
On a phone screen, 720p looks sharp and uses about 1.5 GB an hour.
Save data
Easy wins. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Downloading playlists and shows on Wi-Fi before you travel saves the most data.
What you get
Data estimate. Each tile explains one result.
GB.
With spare.
GB.
Biggest user.
By activity.
Unlimited plans often slow video to SD after a fair use limit, so check the small print.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
How much data do I need a month?
Light users need 3 to 5 GB; people who stream video on the go often need 50 GB or more.
How much data does an hour of video use?
About 0.7 GB in SD, 3 GB in HD and 7 GB in 4K.
How much data does music streaming use?
About 70 MB an hour.
How much data does a video call use?
About 0.8 GB an hour.
Is 10 GB enough?
Yes for browsing, social media and music, but not for daily video.
How much data does social media use?
About 0.6 GB an hour with video feeds.
Does Wi-Fi use count against my plan?
No, only mobile data does.
The plan that fits how you use your phone
Add up your hours and see your monthly data. Choose a plan with a little spare and stop worrying about running out.
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