If your internet has a monthly cap, or you watch on mobile data, these estimates help you plan.
| Quality | Data per hour (approx.) |
|---|---|
| SD | 0.7 to 1 GB |
| HD 720p | 1.5 to 2 GB |
| Full HD 1080p | 2.5 to 4 GB |
| 4K | 7 to 12 GB |
A month of viewing
| Household | Viewing | Approx. per month |
|---|---|---|
| One person, evenings in HD | 3 h a day | 180 to 270 GB |
| Family, Full HD on two TVs | 6 h a day total | 450 to 700 GB |
| Sport fan, 4K weekends | 12 h a month in 4K plus HD | 300 GB+ |
Using less
- Choose the HD rather than 4K version of a channel.
- Turn off autoplay so channels do not keep playing when nobody watches.
- Set phones to stream only on Wi-Fi.
- Turn the TV off rather than leaving a channel running overnight.
Questions and answers
How much data does IPTV use per hour?
About 2.5 to 4 GB in Full HD and 7 to 12 GB in 4K.
Can I use IPTV on a capped plan?
Yes, if you watch in HD and keep an eye on usage.
Does a paused channel use data?
Usually little, but a channel left playing uses full data.