Data usage calculator.
What counts as mobile data?
Mobile data is anything your phone pulls down — or sends — over a cellular connection instead of Wi-Fi. Every Instagram scroll, Google Maps lookup, FaceTime call, or photo backup eats into your monthly allowance.
On a trip abroad your phone usually can't reach your home carrier's network at a sensible rate, so unless you're connected to hotel or café Wi-Fi, everything counts as mobile data — and most of that data goes to apps you don't even realise are running.
How we estimate your need
We start with industry-standard data rates for each activity (a Spotify hour weighs nothing next to a Netflix hour), multiply by the time you tell us, multiply again by your trip length, and add a 20% buffer so you're not running out on day 6 of 7.
The recommendation is a starting point, not a guarantee. If you mostly use Wi-Fi at the hotel, you'll need less. If you stream on the move, plan for more. You can always top up mid-trip — plans top up in seconds without losing your number.
How we calculate your data usage
These are the per-hour estimates the calculator uses. They're upper-bound averages based on typical app behaviour — your real usage may vary depending on quality settings and how much you background-refresh.
| Activity | Examples | Data per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Social media | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter) | 150 MB |
| Quad HD video (1440p at 60 FPS) | YouTube, Netflix | 1.0 GB |
| Full HD video (1080p at 60 FPS) | TikTok, Instagram reels, YouTube Shorts | 1.0 GB |
| Music | Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music | 100 MB |
| Navigation | Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze | 10 MB |
| Web browsing | News, online shopping | 50 MB |
| Emails and messaging | Gmail, WhatsApp, Messenger | 4 MB |
| Video calling (VoIP) | Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime | 1.0 GB |
| Downloading and updating apps | App update data | 300 MB |
Frequently asked questions
How much mobile data do I really need on a trip?
Most casual travellers use 0.5–1.5 GB per day — that covers maps, messaging, social media, and occasional photo uploads. Heavy streamers or remote workers easily go past 3 GB per day. Use the calculator above with your real habits, then add a buffer.How many hours of activity does 1 GB of data last?
Roughly: 7 hours of social media, 1 hour of HD video, 10 hours of music streaming, or 100 hours of GPS navigation. Video streaming is by far the biggest variable — drop quality to 480p and you can get 4× more watch time per GB.What activities consume the most data?
Video streaming (Netflix, YouTube), video calls (Zoom, FaceTime), and short-form video apps (TikTok, Reels) dominate. Together they account for ~90% of typical traveller data usage. Maps, music, and messaging are tiny by comparison.Will browsing the web use more data than using social apps?
Usually less. A typical news site loads ~1–2 MB; an Instagram scroll burns through 2–4 MB per minute because of autoplaying video. Social apps with video feeds (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) are the heaviest.Can I top up if I run out mid-trip?
Yes — every plan can be topped up from your phone in seconds without losing your number or activating a new eSIM. Run out at 9 PM in Tokyo and you're back online by 9:01.Why do you add a 20% buffer to the recommendation?
Background activity — iCloud Photos, app updates, Spotify cache refresh — slips by even cautious users. The buffer protects you from running dry on day 6 of a 7-day trip. If you're a Wi-Fi-mostly traveller, you can confidently pick a smaller plan.