With the rise of streaming services, online gaming, and other data-heavy online activities, many wonder just how much data they really need in a month. Choosing the right data plan can be tricky – go too low and you’ll face overage charges or throttled speeds, but go too high and you’ll pay for data you don’t use.
So how many GB is really enough for a typical month of online activities? The answer depends largely on your usage habits and what you plan to do online. Here are some tips for estimating your ideal monthly data needs:
Consider Your Regular Online Activities
Make a list of everything you do online in a normal month and how much data you think each activity uses. Things like:
- Streaming video (Netflix, YouTube, etc.)
- Streaming music
- Social media usage
- Web browsing and reading articles
- Online backups
- Online gaming
- Video calling
Streaming and gaming tend to be data-heavy, while simple web browsing is lighter. You’ll want to estimate how much you do of each activity in an average month.
Estimate Your Streaming and Video Usage
For streaming video and music, here are some averages to help estimate data use:
- Netflix – 1 GB per hour for Standard Definition, up to 3 GB per hour for High Definition, and up to 7 GB per hour for 4K Ultra HD
- YouTube – 10 MB per minute for Standard Definition, 20 MB per minute for High Definition
- Spotify – 60 MB per hour
So if you stream 10 hours of HD Netflix and 10 hours of HD YouTube videos in a month, that’s already around 30GB used just for streaming.
Factor in Gaming Data Use
Online gaming also consumes significant amounts of data. Here are some estimates:
- Xbox Live – up to 150MB per hour
- Playstation Network – 60-100MB per hour
- Nintendo Switch Online – 30-50MB per hour
- Mobile gaming – 30-60MB per hour
So 20 hours of console or PC gaming could use 3-5GB of data in a month.
Account for Other Online Activities
Beyond streaming and gaming, other minor online activities also consume data:
- Social media browsing – 50MB per hour
- Web browsing and reading articles – 10-30MB per hour
- Music streaming – 60MB per hour
- Online backups – Varies greatly
- Video chatting via Skype, FaceTime, etc. – 130MB per hour
Add up your expected monthly usage for these as well. Activities like web browsing and music tend to use less data, while video chat and backups can use more.
Calculate Your Total
Add up all your expected monthly usage across streaming, gaming, and other online activities. This should start giving you an idea of your ideal data plan.
As an example, here is a sample monthly usage profile and data calculation:
| Activity | Monthly Usage | Data Used |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix (HD) | 10 hours | 20GB |
| YouTube (HD) | 10 hours | 3GB |
| Xbox Live gaming | 20 hours | 3GB |
| Facebook browsing | 10 hours | 0.5GB |
| Web browsing | 30 hours | 1GB |
| Spotify streaming | 40 hours | 2.5GB |
| Skype video chat | 5 hours | 0.5GB |
| Total | 30.5GB |
For this hypothetical usage profile, a 30GB/month data plan would be a good fit with a little room to spare.
Consider Data Overage Costs
When deciding how much data you need, also factor in overage fees you’d incur if you exceed your plan’s limits. Many providers charge $10-15 for each additional GB over the plan limit.
So it may be worth getting a 40GB plan if it’s only a few dollars more than a 30GB plan, to avoid the risk of overages.
Watch Out for Peak Usage Months
Your data usage may fluctuate month-to-month. When school is out or during holiday breaks, increases in streaming and gaming could drive up data use.
It’s smart to estimate for your peak months of usage rather than your typical average month. This ensures you’ll have enough data year-round.
Consider Shared/Family Plans
If your plan includes multiple users or family members, calculate each person’s expected usage and add them together. Teenagers’ gaming and video streaming can quickly eat up data.
Some family plans allow mixing and matching different amounts of data for each user, giving you flexibility based on each person’s needs.
Choose an Unlimited Plan if Unsure
If you can’t estimate your usage well or want to avoid overage risk entirely, an unlimited data plan may be worth it. Prices have come down on unlimited plans, though they still cost more than limited options.
Unlimited plans remove the stress of tracking usage and make overages impossible. An unlimited plan may cost more upfront but provide peace of mind.
Start Low and Upgrade if Needed
If you’re unsure how much data you really need, you may want to start with a lower allowance and upgrade mid-month if needed. Most providers will let you upgrade your plan immediately at any point in your billing cycle.
Monitor your data usage closely and switch to higher tiers if you get close to your limit often. This ensures you don’t overpay monthly for unused data.
Use Wi-Fi When Possible
To reduce your cellular data usage, use Wi-Fi networks whenever available. Connect to Wi-Fi at home, work, school, coffee shops, libraries, etc. Download content offline when on Wi-Fi. Streaming and downloading large files over Wi-Fi helps keep mobile data use low.
Monitor Your Usage
Track your data use through your mobile provider’s account portal or third-party apps. Monitoring helps identify when and how you use most of your data.
You can pinpoint heavy usage activities and even set alerts when you approach monthly limits.
Compress and Optimize Data
Use data compression and saving modes in apps to reduce data consumption. Enable options like Data Saver in Chrome or set YouTube to limit streaming to 480p. Close background apps not in use and turn off auto-play. Take measures to keep data use as lean as possible.
Consider Data Needs for Travel
If you travel frequently, factor that into your plan selection. Domestic and international travel can increase reliance on cellular data over Wi-Fi. Some providers offer monthly plans with data allowances designed for those who travel often within the US.
Conclusion
Estimating your ideal monthly data allowance takes some research into your usage habits and providers’ overage fees. Calculate your typical data usage across streaming, gaming, and other online activities. Pick a plan that covers your peak months with a buffer for unexpected use. Monitor your monthly usage and switch plans up or down as needed based on your actual needs.