How much mobile data do I need?

The short answer is that you need as much data as you typically use in a month – no more, no less. But it’s not always easy to know in advance. Use our data calculator below to estimate how many gigabytes (GB) you might need. In this guide you can also read more about the data usage of different apps and services, and get tips on how to save data.

Calculate how much data you need

Choose a plan based on your average usage

Whether you’re looking for a SIM only or prepaid plan, or mobile broadband, the amount of data you need depends on what you do online and how often you do it.

A good tip is to check your actual usage before signing up. You can find this in your phone’s settings, on your recent bills, or by logging into your provider’s app. This quick check can save you a significant amount of money each month.

• If you buy too much data: You’ll end up paying for something you don’t use (unless your plan has data banking).
• If you buy too little: You might get hit with excess data charges or find your speeds slowed down to a crawl once you hit your limit.

Low, medium or heavy user: Which one are you?

Low data user

• You check your Facebook or X account once or twice a day.
• You don’t really play online games or download music directly to your phone.
• You might chat on Messenger or WhatsApp and watch the occasional short video clip.
• You rarely use mobile data for more than an hour a day.
• You use around 10–20 GB per month.

Medium data user

• You check your emails and social media apps every day.
• You spend a fair amount of time browsing the web and download a few new apps or games each month.
• You watch videos on YouTube quite frequently and stream music on your commute.
• You typically need between 30 GB and 80 GB per month.

Heavy data user

• You’re online for several hours every day.
• You send and receive large email attachments for work.
• You stream high-definition (HD) video several times a week and frequently download new games and apps.
• You rely on streaming services like Netflix, Stan, Binge, and Spotify daily.
• You use your mobile data as your primary way to work and stay in touch with family and friends.
• You likely need 100 GB+ or an ‘Uncapped’ speed plan.

When should you choose unlimited data?

Unlimited data (often called Endless Data) can be a cost-effective option if you use a massive amount of data every month and don’t want the stress of running out.

A SIM only plan with unlimited data can also be a smart alternative to a fixed home NBN connection if you live in an area with great 5G coverage and use your phone as a hotspot for your other devices.

Please note! Most “endless data” plans in Australia offer a chunk of max speed data, after which your speed is capped (usually at 1.5 Mbps, 10 Mbps or 20 Mbps). Check if the capped speed is fast enough for your needs.

How far does 1 GB of data go?

We measure data in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), but it can be hard to visualise what that actually means in 2026. Because websites are heavier and videos are higher resolution than they used to be, 1 GB doesn’t last quite as long as it once did.

The table below shows approximately how long 1 GB of data lasts for different activities today.

How much data does web browsing use?

Modern websites are full of high-resolution images, trackers, and auto-playing videos. As a rule of thumb, you should account for about 3–4 MB per page or roughly 3 MB per minute of active browsing. This means 1GB will typically last you for about 5–6 hours of continuous surfing.

Data usage for popular apps and services

Facebook

Facebook uses roughly 100 MB per hour for basic scrolling, but this can double or triple if you watch videos in your feed. To avoid a massive data spike, it’s a good idea to turn off Autoplay for videos in your account settings.

Instagram

Instagram is very data-intensive because it pre-loads high-definition reels and photos as you scroll. On average, expect it to use about 800 MB per hour. If you’re an active user spending an hour a day on the app, you’ll likely need at least 18 GB of data per month just for Instagram.

TikTok

TikTok is one of the heaviest data users due to its constant video streaming. In standard mode, it consumes about 1.2 GB to 1.5 GB per hour. You can activate Data Saver in the app settings, which reduces the resolution and cuts usage down to about 400 MB per hour.

Snapchat

A basic Snap uses about 1 MB, but high-res AR filters and watching Stories or Spotlight videos will chew through data much faster. To save data, you can enable Data Saver (sometimes called Travel Mode), which prevents Snaps and Stories from loading automatically over mobile data.

How to turn on Data Saver (iOS & Android):

1. Tap the Settings (gear icon) in your Snapchat profile.
2. On iOS: Go to Manage under Additional Services and toggle Data Saver on.
3. On Android: Scroll down to Data Saver and tap to turn it on.

Spotify

Streaming music on Spotify (at “very high” 320 kbps quality) uses about 150 MB per hour. This gives you roughly 6–7 hours of music per 1 GB. If you’re worried about data, you can set the quality to Normal or download your favourite playlists over Wi-Fi for offline listening.

YouTube

YouTube data usage depends heavily on your connection speed. On a fast Australian 5G network, the app will often default to 1080p (HD), which can burn through 2.5 GB per hour. If you want your data to last longer, you should manually set the quality to 480p in the video settings.

Netflix and streaming services

Streaming movies and TV shows is the fastest way to use your data allowance. On “Auto” or “High” settings, Netflix can use 3 GB per hour for HD or up to 7 GB per hour for 4K/UHD. If you’re watching on your mobile, we recommend using the “Save Data” setting within the Netflix app, which limits usage to about 250 MB per hour.

Google Maps

Google Maps is relatively light, using an average of 5–10 MB per hour during active navigation. To save data and ensure you don’t get lost in areas with patchy reception (like the outback or rural coastal roads), you can download “Offline Maps” while you’re on Wi-Fi.

FaceTime, Messenger and WhatsApp calls

A voice-only call uses very little data (about 40–50 MB per hour). However, a high-definition video call on FaceTime or WhatsApp can use up to 300 MB per hour. Group video calls use even more as the app has to stream multiple video feeds simultaneously.

How much data does a movie consume?

Whether you’re using Netflix, Disney+, or Stan, the data used depends entirely on the resolution.

• Standard Definition (SD): ~0.7 GB per hour (roughly 1.5 GB for a standard movie).
• High Definition (HD): ~3 GB per hour (roughly 6 GB for a standard movie).
• 4K/Ultra HD: ~7 GB+ per hour (up to 15 GB for a single movie).

If you plan on watching movies on your commute, it’s almost always better to download them at home first.

Top tips to save mobile data

• Look for data banking: Many Aussie telcos now offer “data banking,” which lets you keep your unused data and roll it over to the next month.
• Standardise your video quality: Set your streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, TikTok) to “Data Saver” or “Standard Definition” by default.
• Turn off background app refresh: Go into your phone settings and stop apps from updating or fetching data when you aren’t using them.
• Use Wi-Fi for downloads: Set your phone to only perform system updates and app downloads when connected to Wi-Fi.
• Use public Wi-Fi (with caution): Take advantage of free Wi-Fi in CBDs, Westfield shopping centres, and public libraries. Use these for heavy tasks, but always use a VPN if you’re accessing sensitive info like banking.