How Much Internet Data Do You Need? Find Out Here

When selecting an internet plan, consider your actual data usage to avoid paying for data you don’t fully utilize or a plan that doesn’t adequately support your needs. Blow past your data cap and you’ll face overage charges, internet shutoffs, or speeds so slow you’ll think it’s 1999 again.

Below, we’ll break down typical data limits, show you how internet speed impacts usage, and help you budget your data smartly. Plus, we’ll recommend solid unlimited plans worth considering.

[search_block]

How much data does an average person use monthly?

The typical internet user burns through 700 GB per month on their home connection, though the heaviest users consume 2 TB—nearly four times more [1,2]. So….how much internet data do you need? Ideally, you need at least 1 TB of home internet data per month so that everyone in your home can browse, stream, and game without hitting limits.

For cell phones, aim for 10 GB of mobile data each month if you primarily use Wi-Fi. The average smartphone consumed approximately 21 GB of data per month at the end of 2024, but you can survive on 5-10 GB if you disable mobile data for data-hungry apps like TikTok and YouTube when you’re not on Wi-Fi [3].

Internet data vs internet speed

What’s the difference between internet speed and internet data?

Internet speed refers to the rate at which data flows, while data usage refers to the total amount of data you’ve used. Speed measures the rate (like miles per hour), while data measures the amount (such as total miles driven).

In technical terms, data is measured in GB and TB (gigabytes and terabytes), while speed is expressed in Mbps and Gbps (megabits per second and gigabits per second). With eight megabits in one megabyte and 1,000 megabytes in a gigabyte, a 100 Mbps connection can push roughly 45 GB per hour.

Faster speeds gobble more data

When you’ve got fast internet, you can move more data (MB or GB) at once. So naturally, faster speeds let you burn through more data.

Wondering if you can scale back to a slower plan and save money? Calculate whether you actually need all that speed.

How much internet data does your household need?

Different activities eat different amounts of data. Here’s what you need monthly for common tasks:

• Streaming video in HD: 300 GB
• Making Zoom video calls: 20-60 GB
• Running home security cameras: 30-400 GB (depends on video quality and how much activity your cameras catch)
• Online gaming: 30 GB
• Web browsing and email: 40 GB
• Streaming music or podcasts: 13 GB

What to expect from different internet types

Shopping for a new internet? First, find out which providers serve your address. Here’s what different connection types typically offer:

Fiber or DSL internet: Unlimited data (from providers like AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, Quantum Fiber)

Cable internet: Either unlimited (from providers like Spectrum) or capped at 1-1.28 TB (from providers like Cox)

Fixed wireless (including 5G home internet): Soft caps that slow you down after certain limits (providers like T-Mobile 5G Home Internet)

Satellite internet: Speed tiers based on how much high-speed “priority" data you need monthly (from providers like Starlink, Hughesnet, Viasat)

Looking at options with strict limits? Determine your actual usage by logging into your router or reviewing your monthly bill. For cell phones, check your bill, provider’s mobile app, or device settings.

Monitoring your home internet data

The simplest way to track monthly home internet usage is through your router’s mobile app. If you rent Wi-Fi gear from your provider, use their app. Got your own router? Check the manufacturer’s app for “Activity" or “data usage." Can’t find it there? Your monthly bill should list your consumption.

Tracking cell phone data

Monitoring phone data is straightforward on most devices. On iPhones, go to Settings, search for Cellular, then find the “Usage" line to see both how much cellular data you’ve burned and what your plan offers. On Android, head to Settings, look for either “Connections" or “Network & Internet," find Carrier, then tap “Settings" to view data usage.

How to budget your internet data

Can’t find unlimited data, and tired of slowdowns or overage fees? Time for a data budget. It sounds harsh, but managing data doesn’t have to hurt once you learn some digital survival skills.

For most households, 1 TB covers a month of internet use just fine. That’s the standard data cap for home internet providers, and it’s generous. You can browse, check email, and watch YouTube videos or Netflix movies daily without worry.

However, burning through 1 TB in 30 days becomes easier when you have gigabit speeds, spend a lot of time doing data-intensive tasks, share Wi-Fi with multiple users, or all of the above.

These activities demolish data:

• Streaming video
• Making video calls
• Running smart-home security cameras
• Posting a video to social media
• Downloading games and large files
• Doing several of these simultaneously on multiple devices

These activities barely dent your cap:

• Checking, sending, and receiving email
• Using social media
• Browsing the web
• Streaming music or podcasts
• Shopping online

Managing your usage

Digital survival lessons for managing data

Lesson one: Stream video in standard definition to save data

Streaming in SD uses approximately 300 MB per hour, HD consumes around 3 GB per hour, and 4K requires about 7 GB per hour. Worried about your cap? Avoid 4K resolution. Even HD video takes a nasty bite. Streaming in SD lets you watch a lot more content without compromising your data diet.

On most streaming apps, you can adjust video quality through settings by logging into your profile on a PC or laptop browser.

Lesson two: Every download counts toward your cap

A six-page PDF: 5.9 MB
An HD movie: Roughly 4 GB
A video game or game update: Roughly 20-60 GB

The file size roughly matches the data you use when downloading it. Check the file size before downloading—larger files mean more data.

Lesson three: Watch out for video calls and smart cameras

Video calls in SD use about 540 MB per hour, while HD video calls burn through 1.6 GB per hour. Smart home security cameras can use 2 GB hourly, depending on resolution and settings.

High-resolution video calls on apps like Zoom can significantly increase your monthly data usage. A couple of calls daily won’t hurt, but consider switching off HD on your Zoom account if you work from home and sit through multiple daily meetings.

The same goes for smart cameras. Depending on settings, they can use up to 2 GB per hour.

Lesson four: Don’t sweat the small stuff

You don’t burn much data sending emails, reading news, scrolling social media, shopping online, or streaming music and podcasts. If this is what you spend most of your online life doing, a 1 TB cap is plenty.

With rural internet, you get way less data than usual

Many rural parts of the United States have limited internet options. Sometimes, satellite or fixed wireless internet is all that is available. Even when your provider says there are no data caps, your speeds can drop dramatically after you exceed certain limits.

Does satellite internet have low caps?

Each major satellite provider now advertises unlimited data, but there’s more to the story. With HughesNet, you get up to 200 GB of priority data (depending on your plan), then revert to standard data for the remainder of the month. That can mean painfully slow speeds.

Viasat and Starlink offer unlimited data, but the real-world speed differences are enormous. Starlink is generally significantly faster than Viasat and Hughesnet.

Find an internet plan with the right amount of data for you!

Now that you understand how much data different activities consume and what you actually need, you can shop confidently for internet service. Whether you need 500 GB or unlimited data, you’re equipped to make an informed choice.

Enter your zip code below to see which internet providers and plans are available at your address. Compare speeds, data allowances, and pricing to find the right match for your household.

[search_block]

Frequently Asked Questions

How much data do I need per month?

Most households need at least 1 TB (1,000 GB) of data monthly. This covers streaming video, video calls, web browsing, social media, and light gaming for a typical family. Heavy users who stream in 4K, download numerous games, or run multiple security cameras may require unlimited data.

How much data do I use per month?

Check your router’s mobile app, your provider’s website, or your monthly bill to see your actual usage. For cell phones, check your device settings, provider app, or monthly statement. Tracking your usage for 2-3 months gives you the clearest picture of your needs.

What is a data cap?

A data cap is a usage limit that your internet provider enforces, dictating the maximum data you can use monthly. Providers refer to it as a data limit, data usage, usage allowance, or “fair use policy."

Sources

[1] Astound.com. “Average Internet Data Usage"

[2] Lightreading.com. “2TB Super Power Users Growing"

[3] Economyinsights.com. “Mobile Data Usage"

Related Posts