How much data does Netflix use?

Netflix uses about 300 MB an hour at Low and up to 7 GB an hour at High (Ultra HD 4K).

Traveller watching a show on a tablet in a hotel bed, watercolour
Contents8 sections
Setting1 hour2 hours a day for a week
Low300 MB4.2 GB
Medium (SD)700 MB9.8 GB
High (SD)1 GB14 GB
High (HD 1080p)3 GB42 GB
High (Ultra HD 4K)7 GB98 GB

Source: Netflix Help Center

Netflix data per hour
Low: 300 MB an hourLow300 MBMedium (SD): 700 MB an hourMedium (SD)700 MBHigh (SD): 1 GB an hourHigh (SD)1 GBHigh (HD 1080p): 3 GB an hourHigh (HD 1080p)3 GBHigh (Ultra HD 4K): 7 GB an hourHigh (Ultra HD 4K)7 GB
How long 10 GB lasts on Netflix
Low: 33 hours of useLow33 hoursMedium (SD): 14 hours of useMedium (SD)14 hoursHigh (SD): 10 hours of useHigh (SD)10 hoursHigh (HD 1080p): 3.3 hours of useHigh (HD 1080p)3.3 hoursHigh (Ultra HD 4K): 1.4 hours of useHigh (Ultra HD 4K)1.4 hours

How to use less data on Netflix

Netflix quality settings and data per hour

Netflix uses about 300 MB an hour on Low and 700 MB on Medium, which is standard definition and looks fine on a phone. High in standard definition takes 1 GB an hour.

Full HD uses about 3 GB an hour and 4K about 7 GB, which only make sense on a TV and on Wi-Fi. On a travel eSIM, set Netflix to Low or Medium.

How long 1 GB and 10 GB last on Netflix

One gigabyte gives you about 3 hours 20 minutes on Low, 1 hour 26 minutes on Medium and 20 minutes in full HD.

A 10 GB plan holds about 33 hours of Netflix on Low, enough for a season or two of a series. In full HD it lasts 3 hours 20 minutes, about two films.

Man watching a film on his phone on a long bus ride, watercolour

Netflix data for a one-week and a two-week trip

An episode a night, about an hour, uses 2.1 GB a week on Low and 4.9 GB on Medium. The same hour in full HD uses 21 GB a week, more than most travel plans hold.

Two weeks of an hour a night comes to 4.2 GB on Low or 9.8 GB on Medium. Downloading on Wi-Fi brings that to zero.

Set Netflix to save data on iPhone and Android

Open the Netflix app, tap My Netflix, then the menu icon and App Settings. Under Video Playback, tap Mobile Data Usage and choose Save Data. Netflix says Save Data gives about 6 hours of video per GB.

Automatic picks the quality from your connection speed, which can use far more on a fast 5G network. Maximum Data streams at the highest quality your plan allows.

Download Netflix shows before you travel

Most series and films have a Download button under the title. Download on hotel Wi-Fi, then watch with mobile data off. Under App Settings, turn on Wi-Fi Only for downloads.

Choose Standard download quality to save phone storage. Some titles cannot be downloaded or stay available for a limited time after you start watching, so check before a long flight.

FAQ

How much data does Netflix use per hour?
About 300 MB on Low, 700 MB on Medium, 3 GB in full HD and 7 GB in 4K.
Is 10 GB enough for Netflix on holiday?
Yes, on Low or Medium. 10 GB holds about 33 hours on Low and 14 hours on Medium.
Does Netflix use a lot of data in HD?
Yes. Full HD uses about 3 GB an hour, so 1 GB lasts 20 minutes.
Can I watch Netflix offline while travelling?
Yes. Download titles on Wi-Fi and watch them with mobile data turned off.
How do I make Netflix use less data?
Go to App Settings, then Mobile Data Usage, and choose Save Data. It gives about 6 hours per GB.
Does Netflix work in every country?
No. Netflix is not available in China, and the shows on offer change from country to country.

Work out your whole trip

Add up maps, music, video and calls for every day of your trip with the travel data calculator.

Plan size for 2 hours a day at High (SD) for 2 weeks: 28 GB plus 10% extra.