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How much data do I need?
Set how you actually use your phone and get an approximate estimate for your trip, plus a plan that fits.
The short answer
Most travelers need about 1 GB of data per day for light use, or roughly 3 to 7 GB for a one-week trip. If you stream video or work online every day, plan for 10 GB or more, or an Unlimited plan. Your real number depends on how much you browse, use maps, scroll social media and stream, which is exactly what the calculator below works out for you.
Trip length
Travelers
Start with a profile, then fine-tune
Roughly how you'll use it, per day
Browsing & email
Web, search, checking mail
Social media
Instagram, TikTok, X, feeds
Maps & navigation
Turn-by-turn directions
Music streaming
Spotify, Apple Music
Video streaming
YouTube, Netflix (HD)
Video calls
FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom
Estimated data
14GB
7 days · ~2.0 GB/day
What uses the most
Our suggestion
An Unlimited plan is the safe pick for this much daily streaming and calls.
An approximate estimate. Real use varies with app, video quality and network. When in doubt, size up or pick Unlimited.
How much data do I need for my trip length?
Approximate totals by how long you travel and how heavily you use your phone. A quick way to sanity-check the calculator.
| Trip length | Light use | Average use | Heavy use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 0.3 GB | 0.7 GB | 2 GB |
| 3 days | 1 GB | 2 GB | 6 GB |
| 1 week | 2 GB | 5 GB | 12 GB |
| 2 weeks | 4 GB | 10 GB | 25 GB |
| 1 month | 8 GB | 20 GB | Unlimited |
Is 1 GB, 5 GB or 10 GB enough?
1 GB
A short trip with light use: maps, messaging and a little browsing over a day or two. Runs out fast with video.
5 GB
A week of normal use for most people: maps, social, messaging and light browsing. The sweet spot for a typical trip.
10 GB+
Longer trips, heavy social video, daily streaming or working online. If you stream a lot, consider Unlimited.
How much data does each app use?
The rough hourly rates behind the calculator. Handy on their own to sanity-check your habits.
| Activity | Approx. data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maps & navigation | ~5 MB / hour | Turn-by-turn is light once the map loads |
| Browsing & email | ~60 MB / hour | Web pages, search, checking mail |
| Music streaming | ~70 MB / hour | Standard quality; more on lossless |
| Social media | ~250 MB / hour | Feeds are video-heavy now (Reels, TikTok) |
| Video calls | ~600 MB / hour | FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom |
| Video streaming (HD) | ~1.5 GB / hour | YouTube/Netflix; 4K is 3-7 GB/hour |
How to use less data abroad
- Download offline maps for your city before you fly.
- Set streaming apps to standard quality, and download shows on Wi-Fi.
- Save big photo and cloud backups for hotel Wi-Fi.
- Turn off background app refresh for apps you don't need live.
Frequently asked questions
How much data do I need for a week abroad?
Most travelers use about 3 to 7 GB for a week: maps, messaging, social media and the occasional video. Light users can manage on 2 GB; if you stream video daily or work online, plan for 10 GB or more, or an Unlimited plan.
Is 5 GB enough for travel?
For most people, yes. 5 GB comfortably covers a week of normal use, maps, messaging, social media and light browsing. It is not enough if you stream video every day, which can use more than 1 GB per day on its own.
Is 1 GB enough for a trip?
1 GB suits a short trip with light use: maps, messaging and a little browsing over a couple of days. It runs out quickly with social media video or streaming, so for a full week most people want 3 to 5 GB.
How much data does Google Maps use?
Navigation is light, roughly 5 MB per hour once the map area has loaded, because most of the map is cached. Searching and loading fresh areas uses a bit more. Downloading offline maps uses almost none.
How much data does streaming video use?
About 0.7 GB per hour for standard definition, 1.5 to 3 GB per hour for HD, and up to 7 GB per hour for 4K. Video is by far the biggest data user, so if you watch a lot, size up or choose Unlimited.
Are these estimates exact?
No, they are approximate. Real usage varies with the apps you use, video quality, network speed and background activity. When you are between two plan sizes, it is safest to size up or choose an Unlimited plan.
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