How much datado you really use?

How the calculator works

Move each slider to the hours per day you spend on that activity using mobile data. Time on Wi-Fi at home, at work or in a café doesn't count against your plan, so leave it out.

1. 1Daily use. The hours for each activity are multiplied by its rate in gigabytes (GB) per hour, then added together.
2. 2Monthly total. The daily figure is multiplied by 30 days.
3. 3Buffer. We add 20% for busier weeks, trips and background updates.
4. 4Plan size. The buffered total points to a suggested plan size: up to 10 GB, 10 to 25 GB, 25 to 50 GB, 50 to 100 GB, or 100 GB and up.

The rates we use

These are rough averages per hour. Real use depends on the app, the video quality and your settings.

Video is what moves the needle. One hour a day of social media with video comes to 0.5 GB a day, or 15 GB over 30 days, and 18 GB with the buffer. An hour of music a day, by comparison, adds under 3 GB a month.

How to read your result

Your suggested plan size is a starting point. If you're near the top of a range, the next size up may be worth it. If you're near the bottom, you may be paying for data you won't use.

Check your estimate against reality, too. Your phone's settings usually show how much mobile data you used last month, and your provider's app often shows it by billing cycle. Plans also differ in what happens once you reach your limit: some slow your speed, others charge for extra data. Ask before you choose.

Once you know your size, compare plans on the regular monthly price, not just the first month, and remember that taxes are extra. You can read more on our phone plans page or see all our calculators.