Data calculator
How much data do I need for my trip?
Most travellers use 0.5 to 1 GB a day: about 3 GB for a week of maps, messages, browsing and some social media. Streaming and video calls use about 1 GB an hour.
7 days
1.5 h a day
2 h a day
1 h a day
0.5 h a day
0.5 h a day
0 h a day
0 h a day
Data per hour, by activity
| Activity | Per hour | 1 hour a day for a week |
|---|---|---|
| Maps and navigation Google Maps, Citymapper, ride apps | 15 MB | 0.1 GB |
| Messages and email WhatsApp, iMessage, email (no video) | 10 MB | 0.1 GB |
| Browsing Websites, booking apps, news | 60 MB | 0.4 GB |
| Social media Instagram, TikTok, Facebook (video-heavy) | 450 MB | 3.1 GB |
| Music and podcasts Spotify, Apple Music at normal quality | 70 MB | 0.5 GB |
| Video calls WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom | 450 MB | 3.1 GB |
| Streaming video Netflix, YouTube at standard definition | 1 GB | 6.8 GB |
Quick guide
| Use | Per day | 7 days | 14 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Maps, messages, email | 0.25 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Standard Plus social, music, some video | 0.7 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB |
| Heavy Plus streaming, video calls, hotspot | 1.8 GB | 13 GB | 25 GB |
How much data do I need for a week abroad?
About 3 GB for a typical week of maps, messages, browsing and some social media. Light users need 1 to 3 GB; heavy users who stream or video call need 10 GB or unlimited.
How much data does Google Maps use?
About 15 MB an hour of navigation. Download offline maps on Wi-Fi before you go and it uses almost none.
How much data does a video call use?
About 450 MB an hour on WhatsApp, FaceTime or Zoom. A voice-only call uses far less, about 1 MB a minute.
Is 1 GB a day enough?
Yes for most travellers: 1 GB covers several hours of maps, messages, browsing and social media. Streaming video uses about 1 GB an hour on its own.
