Video is by far the biggest data user: an hour of 4K streaming uses about 7 GB, HD about 3 GB and standard definition under 1 GB. Music, browsing and online gaming use little by comparison. Use the result to choose a mobile plan or check whether a data cap is enough.
How to use the Data Usage Calculator
- Streaming video in 4K
- Streaming video in HD
- Streaming video in SD
- Music streaming
- Video calls
- Online gaming
- Social media
- Web browsing and email
- Price per GB (if pay-as-you-go)
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the hours per day you spend on each activity and the price per GB if you pay by usage.
Tips
- Use the figures from your own bills and product labels – prices and appliance ratings vary widely.
- Look at yearly totals: small daily costs add up and make it easier to compare options.
- Round quantities up to whole packs, rolls or bulbs when you shop.
- Re-check the numbers when prices change; most results scale directly with the unit price.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing watts (power) with watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (energy).
- Comparing prices without bringing them to the same unit first.
- Ignoring one-off costs such as installation, delivery or replacement parts.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Streaming video in 4K | In h/day |
| Streaming video in HD | In h/day |
| Streaming video in SD | In h/day |
| Music streaming | In h/day |
| Video calls | In h/day |
| Online gaming | In h/day |
| Social media | In h/day |
| Web browsing and email | In h/day |
| Price per GB (if pay-as-you-go) | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Data per day = 7×[Streaming video in 4K] + 3×[Streaming video in HD] + 0.7×[Streaming video in SD] + 0.072×[Music streaming] + 1.5×[Video calls] + 0.2×[Online gaming] + 0.15×[Social media] + 0.15×[Web browsing and email]
- Data per month = [Data per day]×30.44
- Monthly cost = [Data per month]×[Price per GB (if pay-as-you-go)]
- Share from video = (7×[Streaming video in 4K] + 3×[Streaming video in HD] + 0.7×[Streaming video in SD])÷[Data per day]×100
Formula
Daily data = Σ hours × data rate (4K video 7 GB/h, HD 3 GB/h, SD 0.7 GB/h, music 0.07, video calls 1.5, gaming 0.2, social media 0.15, browsing 0.15 GB/h)Monthly = daily × 30.44Worked example
Inputs — Streaming video in 4K: 0 h/day; Streaming video in HD: 2 h/day; Streaming video in SD: 0 h/day; Music streaming: 2 h/day; Video calls: 0.5 h/day; Online gaming: 1 h/day; Social media: 1.5 h/day; Web browsing and email: 1 h/day; Price per GB (if pay-as-you-go): $0.
Results — Data per day = 7.47 GB; Data per month = 227.4 GB; Monthly cost = $0.00; Share from video = 80 %.
Frequently asked questions
How much data does Netflix use?
About 1 GB per hour in SD, 3 GB in HD and 7 GB in 4K (Ultra HD).
How much data do I need per month?
Light users manage on 5–10 GB; people who stream on mobile often need 30 GB or unlimited.
Does Wi-Fi count towards my mobile data?
No – only data used over the mobile network counts.
What formula does the Data Usage Calculator use?
Daily data = Σ hours × data rate (4K video 7 GB/h, HD 3 GB/h, SD 0.7 GB/h, music 0.07, video calls 1.5, gaming 0.2, social media 0.15, browsing 0.15 GB/h).