How Much Data Do I Need? (At Home & While Travelling)

You're trying to decide on a mobile/cellular data plan. 

You don’t want to run out.

You don’t want to overpay.

 So… how much data do you actually need? 

Let’s break it down.

How much data do I need?

To understand how much data you need, knowing how much data you currently use is a good place to start.

_{KB, MB, GB — what’s the deal?}

Kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes — these are just different ways to measure how much data you're using.

 1,000 kilobytes (KB) ➡️ 1 megabyte (MB)

1,000 megabytes ➡️ 1 gigabyte (GB)

Now here’s a general yardstick to help you picture what that data actually does.

Let’s say you spend 10 minutes doing something on your phone:

• Streaming video (YouTube, Netflix): around 70 to 100 MB
  
• Streaming audio (Spotify, podcasts, etc.): roughly 15 MB
  
• Mobile gaming: somewhere between 10 to 100 MB
  
• Scrolling on social media (Tiktok, Instagram): about 20 MB
  
• Browsing the web (Google): close to 10 MB
  
• WhatsApp or app-based calls: usually 5 to 15 MB

Now do the maths.

Scroll TikTok for 30 minutes? That’s around 60MB. Watch a couple of videos on YouTube? Another 200MB, give or take.

Throw in some Googling and a voice call on WhatsApp? You’re quickly over 300 MB in a single day without even trying.

Multiply that by the number of days on your plan—and you've got a rough idea of your daily, weekly, or monthly data needs.

How to check recent data usage

Looking at your past usage is a good predictor of future usage. If you don’t have a calculator at hand, here’s a quick way to check how much data you’ve used in the past.

_{On iPhone}

Go to Settings → Mobile Service or Cellular. Scroll down to see how much you’ve used. 

You can also reset stats to track usage during your trip.

_{On Samsung/Android}

Head to Settings → Connections → Data Usage. 

You’ll see a breakdown of usage by app and time period.

How much time do you spend on your phone per day?

You can also figure out how much data you’ll need by understanding how much time you're actually on your phone. Spoiler: it’s probably more than you think.

Why does it matter?
Because, when you’re not connected to WiFi, every minute online — scrolling, streaming, messaging, mapping — burns through data. The more time you spend, the more you’ll need. Simple.

_{Here’s how to check:}

On iPhone

Go to Settings → Screen Time. Tap See All Activity for a daily or weekly breakdown.

On Android

Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls → Dashboard. You’ll see time spent on each app.

Take a look. You might be surprised — and it'll help you plan your data use more realistically.

How Much Data Do I Need When Travelling?

If you’re asking the question "How much data do I need for my trip", you’re either trying to manage roaming charges or thinking about an eSIM plan.  

Here’s the thing. 

Your phone is by far the most important travel tool you’ll ever own. It means you’ll probably need more data than you think.

More waiting around. Transiting from place to place. More need to be connected — whether that’s:

• Checking flight or train bookings
• Following directions in a new city
• Messaging people you’re travelling with
• Staying in touch with friends and family
• Listening to music, watching shows, or scrolling while you kill time
• And if you’re travelling solo? Your phone might be your lifeline for both safety and sanity

Sure, you’ll have access to WiFi, but not always. For most people, it's important to have mobile data, too! 

But that doesn't mean we condone turning roaming on and dealing with the consequences later.

These days, you can avoid roaming charges altogether and get low-cost mobile data by adding a second SIM plan to your phone — in the form of an eSIM. And it only takes three minutes to set up!

So how much data do you need? 

That depends on your travel style. Here's a quick way to figure it out:

How long are you going for?

And more importantly…

What kind of phone user are you?

We created four categories of user. Do you see yourself in any of these? 

1. Data Minimalist

You mostly use Wi-Fi and just want a little data for emergencies.

With 1GB, you can do one of these things:

• Make WhatsApp voice calls for 10 hours
• Browse the web for 20 hours
• Use Google Maps for 25 hours

2. Routine Surfer

You’re online every day — maps, socials, messages, and the odd video call.

With 5GB, you can do one of these things:

• Scroll and post on TikTok or Instagram for 7 hours
• Video call friends for 5 hours
• Stream Spotify (high quality) for 50 hours

3. Habitual Streamer

Your screen time is real. You're always on, always connected.

With 10–15GB, you can do one of these things:

• Do everything the Routine Surfer does
• Plus stream more, scroll more, and stay on video calls longer
• Basically, don’t hold back

4. Data Powerhouse

You work remotely, stream daily, or post high-res content non-stop.

You’ll want at least 20 GB so you can:

• Binge HD shows on Netflix or YouTube
• Upload thousands of photos and videos — even 4K
• Game, stream, and download without worrying

Not sure about next steps?

Still undecided? Use our Find My Plan tool and we’ll recommend the best data plan in seconds based on your trip length and habits!