How Much Data Does Streaming Use?
Streaming is the biggest data drain on a mobile plan. Here's exactly how much Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and others use — by quality setting.
Data usage by streaming service
| Service | SD per hour | HD per hour | 4K per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | ~1GB | ~3GB | ~7GB |
| Disney+ | ~700MB | ~2GB | ~4GB |
| Amazon Prime Video | ~900MB | ~2.5GB | ~6GB |
| Apple TV+ | ~1GB | ~3GB | ~7GB |
| BBC iPlayer | ~500MB | ~1.5GB | N/A |
| ITV / Channel 4 | ~500MB | ~1.5GB | N/A |
On a 5G connection, streaming services default to the highest quality available. One film in 4K can use 14GB or more — more than most capped plans' entire monthly allowance.
Monthly impact at different usage levels
| Daily usage | Monthly (SD) | Monthly (HD) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mins/day | ~15GB | ~45GB |
| 1 hour/day | ~30GB | ~90GB |
| 2 hours/day | ~60GB | ~180GB |
How to reduce streaming data usage
- Download before leaving home — all major streaming apps allow downloads on Wi-Fi for offline viewing.
- Set quality to SD or Medium — in app settings, change the streaming quality. SD looks fine on a phone screen.
- Netflix Data Saver — Settings → Cellular → Data Usage → select Lower Data Usage.
- Disney+ data settings — Profile → App Settings → Cellular Data Usage → set to Save Data.
- Use Wi-Fi when at home — the simplest rule: streaming on mobile data should be for travel, not the sofa.
Even in SD, streaming for an hour a day uses 30GB per month. Unlimited data is the only plan that makes streaming worry-free.
Frequently asked questions
Netflix uses approximately 1GB per hour in SD, 3GB in HD, and up to 7GB in 4K Ultra HD. The app defaults to the highest quality your connection supports.
A 2-hour film uses approximately 2GB in SD, 6GB in HD, and up to 14GB in 4K. On a 20GB monthly plan, one HD film uses 30% of the entire monthly allowance.
They're similar in HD, but streaming services like Netflix tend to use slightly more than YouTube at equivalent quality due to higher bitrates. Both are significant data consumers and should ideally be used on Wi-Fi.