How Much Data Does Netflix Use?
Netflix's own figures per hour in SD, HD and 4K, what that means for a 10 GB plan, and the settings that make streaming last on mobile data.
3 min readUpdated
The short answer
Netflix says it uses up to about 1 GB an hour in standard definition, up to 3 GB an hour in HD and up to 7 GB an hour in 4K. On a phone with the default mobile setting, it is about 4 hours per GB.
On mobile data, set the app to Save Data (about 6 hours per GB) and download shows on Wi-Fi before you leave.
Data per hour, by setting
On a TV or computer, per device:
- Low: up to 0.3 GB an hour.
- Medium: up to 0.7 GB an hour.
- High: up to 1 GB (SD), 3 GB (HD) or 7 GB (4K) an hour.
- Auto: changes with your connection speed.
In the mobile app, on mobile data:
- Automatic: about 4 hours per GB.
- Save Data: about 6 hours per GB.
- Maximum Data: can be 1 GB every 20 minutes or more.
- Wi-Fi Only: no streaming on mobile data at all.
What that means for your plan
On a 10 GB plan, one long movie night in HD (about 3 hours) can use almost all of it. The same plan gives you roughly 40 hours on the phone app's Automatic setting, or about 60 hours on Save Data. These are Netflix's own estimates; your real use depends on the show, the screen and the connection.
Change the setting
- 1Phone: in the Netflix app open My Netflix > menu > App Settings > Mobile Data Usage and pick Save Data or Wi-Fi Only.
- 2TV or computer: sign in on the web, open your profile's Playback settings and choose Low or Medium.
- 3Download episodes on Wi-Fi to watch later without using mobile data.
Summary
- Netflix: up to about 1 GB an hour in SD, 3 GB in HD and 7 GB in 4K.
- Phone app on Automatic: about 4 hours per GB. Save Data: about 6 hours per GB.
- Set Save Data or Wi-Fi Only on your phone, and download on Wi-Fi.