How much data does streaming use? Data usage table
How many gigabytes does an hour of TV use in SD, HD or 4K? How to calculate it, a monthly estimate and tips for mobile data and limited plans.
In short
- Hourly data usage is easy to estimate: bitrate (Mbit/s) multiplied by 0.45 gives gigabytes per hour.
- As a rough guide, SD uses 1–2 GB, Full HD 3–4 GB and 4K 7–12 GB per hour.
- On mobile data, choose a lower picture quality, and when roaming within the EU, watch out for fair use limits.
Data usage per hour
| Picture quality | Average bitrate | Data usage per hour |
|---|---|---|
| SD | 3 Mbit/s | approx. 1.4 GB |
| HD (720p) | 5 Mbit/s | approx. 2.3 GB |
| Full HD (1080p) | 8 Mbit/s | approx. 3.6 GB |
| 4K UHD | 20 Mbit/s | approx. 9 GB |
Monthly estimate
If you watch an average of 3 hours a day in Full HD, that is roughly 3.6 GB × 3 hours × 30 days ≈ 324 GB a month. With two TVs and 4K viewing in the evening, it can easily reach 500–800 GB.
Most fixed home internet plans have unlimited data, but if you watch TV over mobile internet or a capped plan, be sure to take these figures into account.
Mobile internet and roaming
- Check your mobile plan's data allowance and whether video traffic is discounted or restricted.
- Within the European Union, roaming generally works at domestic rates, but providers may apply a fair use limit.
- Outside the EU, roaming data can be expensive – check before you travel.
- For the availability of paid services abroad, see: watching TV abroad.
Tips to reduce data usage
- Choose a lower quality on mobileOn a phone screen, SD or HD quality looks good too.
- Use Wi‑Fi where you canConnect to the wireless network at home, at work or where you are staying.
- Stop playback when you are not watchingA stream running in the background still uses data.
- Monitor your usageYour phone's settings show data usage per app.
Frequently asked questions
How much data does a 90-minute football match use?
About 5–6 GB in Full HD, 12–15 GB in 4K and around 2 GB in SD.
Does a paused stream use data?
Briefly, yes, because the player keeps filling its reserve, but only a few tens of megabytes; a live stream left open for a long time, however, uses data continuously.
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