Estimate one activity at a time
Streaming quality and app behavior vary widely, so use the rate shown by your service when possible. Add separate estimates for video, music, calls and social apps to build a complete monthly total.
Wi-Fi usage does not consume your mobile allowance
Only time spent on cellular data should be entered. Downloads, cloud backups and app updates can create large bursts, especially when Wi-Fi Assist or similar settings are active.
Plan with a margin
A plan exactly equal to the estimate leaves little room for travel, tethering or higher video quality. A modest allowance above the calculated total reduces surprise overage or throttling.
Frequently asked questions
How much data does one hour of video use?
It depends on resolution and compression. Standard definition may use hundreds of MB per hour, while high-resolution video can use several GB.
Why does my carrier total differ from this estimate?
Apps change quality, preload content and transfer data in the background. Your carrier meter is the authoritative total for billing.
Does using Wi-Fi count toward mobile data?
Normally no. Check that the phone stayed connected to Wi-Fi and review settings that allow cellular fallback.