How Much Data Does IPTV Use? Rough Figures by Quality

Live video uses data continuously. Exact usage depends on the stream, but a rough guide helps you plan.

Rough figures

As a rough guide, standard definition video can use around one gigabyte per hour, HD around two to three gigabytes per hour and 4K around seven gigabytes per hour or more. Real figures vary by channel and app, so treat these as estimates, not promises.

An example

If you watch three hours of HD each evening at about three gigabytes per hour, that is roughly nine gigabytes a day, or around 270 gigabytes in a month from one screen. Several screens at once multiply this.

Do you have a cap?

Many UK broadband plans are unlimited, but some are not, and mobile data almost always has a limit. Check your provider's terms before streaming heavily.

Ways to reduce usage

Choose a lower quality setting when you do not need 4K.
Use Wi-Fi rather than mobile data on phones.
Close the app when you are not watching, so it does not keep streaming in the background.

Measuring your own usage

Your router or your internet provider's app often shows data used per device. Note the figure before and after a viewing session to get a real number for your setup. That beats any rule of thumb.

Households with several screens

Add up the screens that are likely to run at the same time. Two HD streams in the evening and a phone on video calls can easily double or triple the load on your connection, even if each stream is modest.

Background use

Some apps keep a stream open while paused or minimised. If you have a cap, close the app fully when you finish rather than leaving it on a channel overnight.

For speed advice see Internet Speed and Wi-Fi for Streaming Explained, and for resolution see HD vs 4K IPTV Streaming: What You Really Need.