Streaming video typically uses between 150 MB and 12 GB of data per hour, depending on video quality. Standard Definition (SD) uses the least data, while 4K Ultra HD uses the most. HD streaming averages around 1–3 GB per hour.
Streaming video is one of the biggest sources of internet traffic today. Whether you're watching YouTube videos, Netflix, live sports, online courses or gaming streams, every minute of video transfers data between a streaming server and your device.
How Much Data Does Streaming Video Use Per Hour?
| Video Quality | Average Data Usage Per Hour |
|---|---|
| 240p | 150 MB |
| 360p | 300 MB |
| 480p | 500–700 MB |
| 720p HD | 1–1.5 GB |
| 1080p Full HD | 2–3 GB |
| 1440p (2K) | 4–5 GB |
| 4K Ultra HD | 7–12 GB |
| 8K | 20–45 GB |
How Much Data Does HD and Live Streaming Use?
| Streaming Type | Average Data Per Hour |
|---|---|
| 720p HD | 1–1.5 GB |
| 1080p Full HD | 2–3 GB |
| 1440p (2K) | 4–5 GB |
| Live Streaming (1080p) | 2–3 GB |
Live streaming generally uses approximately the same amount of data as standard video streaming when using the same resolution and bitrate.

Streaming Works Both Ways
If you watch a 2 GB movie, your device downloads approximately 2 GB of data while the streaming platform uploads the same amount to your device.
If 1,000 people watch the same movie, the platform transfers roughly 2 TB of bandwidth.
Streaming Data Usage Examples
| Activity | Approximate Data Used |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes of Full HD video | 1.2 GB |
| 2 hours of Full HD video | 5 GB |
| 2 hours every day for one month | 150 GB |
| 10 hours of 4K streaming | 70–120 GB |
How Much Data Does Netflix, YouTube and Twitch Use?
| Streaming Service | SD | HD (720p–1080p) | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | 1 GB | 3 GB | 7 GB |
| YouTube | 500–700 MB | 1.2–2.7 GB | 7–12 GB |
| Twitch | N/A | 2–3 GB | N/A |
| Disney+ | 1 GB | 2–3 GB | 7–8 GB |
| Amazon Prime Video | 1 GB | 2–3 GB | 6–7 GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much data does streaming video use?
Typically between 150 MB and 12 GB per hour depending on quality.
How much data does HD streaming use?
Around 1–3 GB per hour.
How much data does live streaming use?
Usually about the same as regular streaming at the same quality.
Is 100 GB enough for streaming?
Yes. Around 40 hours of Full HD or about 80 hours of HD streaming.
Conclusion
Streaming video can consume anywhere from 150 MB to more than 12 GB per hour. For viewers, these figures help estimate internet usage. For website owners, they help estimate bandwidth requirements and hosting costs.
Did you know?
Every visitor to a video website increases monthly bandwidth usage. Understanding average data consumption per viewer helps you plan your hosting infrastructure more accurately.