How much mobile data do I need?
Paying for data you never use is one of the most common ways people overspend on mobile plans. Move the sliders to estimate your monthly usage.
How long do you spend on each activity per day, when you’re not on WiFi?
Frequently asked questions
How much data does streaming video use?
Standard definition video uses about 1GB an hour and HD about 3GB an hour. Most streaming apps let you choose a lower quality on mobile data to save data.
How much data does social media use?
Video-heavy apps like TikTok and Instagram can use around 0.5–1GB an hour. Scrolling text and photos uses much less.
How can I check my actual data use?
On iPhone, go to Settings › Mobile Data. On Android, go to Settings › Network & internet › Data usage. Your provider’s app also shows usage for each billing period.
How accurate is this calculator?
It gives a good estimate from typical usage rates. Real usage depends on app settings, video quality and autoplay. We add a 20% buffer to our recommendation for that reason.