How Much Data Does Netflix Use and How to Save It?

Streaming your favourite shows and movies on Netflix consumes a lot of data. And, if you’re on a limited data plan, it’s normal to wonder how much data Netflix use on mobile, PC, TV, or any other device. This guide will explain how much data you need for Netflix’s every resolution and how to save or minimize it.

Netflix has become a mundane part of our lifestyle. It provides a massive collection of content, with something to watch for everyone. There are great shows, compelling movies, and intriguing documentaries. It even has an anime library now. If you’re fond of binge-watching things on Netflix, you need a lot of data.

You don’t need to worry much if you’re on an unlimited data plan. However, if you have a limit on the data you can use every month, this post will help you figure out how to organize and save your data usage.

How Much Data Does Netflix Use For Different Resolutions?

Netflix estimates how much data the streaming service uses for every hourly session. The values differ according to the quality of the resolution. The clearer it is, the more data it consumes. Here are the estimates given by Netflix for data usage per hour on different resolutions:

  • Low (480p): 300MB per hour
  • Medium (720p): 700MB per hour
  • High (1080p): 3GB per hour
  • 4K: 7GB per hour

Certain things were missing in the estimates provided by Netflix, most significantly the data usage for 4K streaming with HDR. So, we decided to test things out ourselves. Our findings are presented below. Here’s how much data Netflix use per hour for every resolution:

  • Low (480p): 200-350MB per hour
  • Medium (720p): 650-750MB per hour
  • High (1080p): 2.8GB-3.4GB per hour
  • QHD (1440p): 4.25GB per hour
  • 4K (with & without HDR): 6.5GB-11.5GB per hour

We used an internet connection with unlimited data and different sets of devices, including an iPhone 13, a 1080p Windows laptop, an LG QLED TV, an Xbox One, and an MS Excel sheet to measure the data used.

Internet Speed for Netflix

Our findings are very similar to the estimates shared by Netflix on its official website. We also figured out that the difference isn’t much between HDR and Non-HDR when you choose the 4K resolution settings. This is also why Netflix didn’t care to explain the data consumption for 4K with HDR separately.

Is The Data Usage By Netflix Different On PC, Mobile, And TV?

The data used by Netflix depends on two key factors- the length of a streaming session and the resolution you selected. Technically, your device doesn’t impact how much data Netflix uses. However, different devices support different resolution settings leading to the difference in data usage.

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For instance, Netflix users using the mobile app often stick to 720p or 1080p streaming quality, while TV users choose the 4K resolution. That’s why the data consumed on mobile is always lower than on TV. The same goes for other devices.

If you are using the same resolution for watching the same movie on two different devices, the amount of data used by Netflix will be very similar. However, if you set the resolution to “Auto,” then Netflix keeps changing the data consumption according to the available internet speed.

Data Used By Netflix For Streaming Vs Downloading:

There is a common myth among Netflix users that downloading movies or shows on the platform takes less data than streaming it online. However, it’s false, and Netflix doesn’t work like that. The data that Netflix uses for both streaming and downloading is the same, and there’s no significant difference.

Downloading vs Streaming

For instance, if you have downloaded a 2-hour movie on Netflix, it’ll use the same amount of data to stream that movie online. So, if you have been believing the myth and downloading movies to save the data, you can stop doing that. Instead, you can use the ways to save the data shared below.

Downloading things to watch on Netflix later is suitable when you have limited access to the internet. For example, when you are travelling and know that you won’t have access to the internet at a later time, you can download your favourite movies to watch offline.

How To Save Data Usage On Netflix On Various Devices?

You can minimize your data usage on Netflix and save up on your internet bill in several ways. You can save data while streaming or downloading your favourite movies on shows by altering some settings. This way, you can limit the usage of whatever device you are using.

One more option to limit the data used by your device on Netflix is to not subscribe to the UHD package. It will limit your streaming/ downloading resolution to 1080p. However, it comes with the drawback of not having simultaneous streams. Thus, it’s not a good option for families and shared accounts.

Minimize Data Usage On Browser

Follow these steps to save data while streaming on Netflix in a web browser on a desktop or laptop:

  • Go to Netflix and sign in to your account.
  • Now navigate to the account page.
  • Next, click on “Playback Settings.”
Playback setting
  • You can choose between Auto, Low, Medium, or High.
  • We’d recommend choosing Low or Medium if you are low on data.
  • You can also disable the setting to play the next episode automatically.
Autoplay on Netflix

That’s it. This way, you’ll use the least data while streaming shows and movies on Netflix.

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Minimize Data Usage On Mobile:

Follow these steps to save data while streaming through the Netflix app on mobile:

  • Launch the Netflix app and make sure you are signed in.
  • Now navigate to the More tab present at the bottom.
  • Choose the “App Settings” option from here.
App Settings
  • Next, tap on Video Playback Setting.
  • Here, choose the “Save Data” option.
Data options
  • Optionally, you can disable the setting to play the next episode automatically.

That’s it. The other data usage settings you have on the app are- Automatic (it balances good video quality with data usage and consumes around 1 GB of data per four hours of streaming), WiFi Ony (it prevents Netflix from using mobile data), and Maximum Data (it uses as much data as possible to provide the best quality).

Minimize Data Usage On TV:

The Netflix app has different resolution settings on various television models. Some app variants don’t have the option to alter the video playback quality, and you’ll have to do that manually. A good alternative would be to save the settings on your Netflix profile.

Follow these steps to change the data usage settings for your Netflix profile:

  • Go to the Netflix website in a web browser and sign in to your account.
  • Now go to the Account page.
  • Next, navigate to the “Profile & Parental Controls” section.
Netflix Parental Controls
  • Here, choose a profile and go to “Playback Settings.”
  • Change the settings and choose the preferred data usage option.
  • We’ll suggest using the “Low Data” mode.
Playback
  • Finally, click on “Save” to save the changes.

That’s it. You can now start streaming your favourite shows and movies on Netflix on your Roku, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, or any other Smart TV without worrying about data usage. However, remember that restricting data usage may affect video quality.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How many GB is a 2-hour movie on Netflix?

A: The data used to watch a 2-hour movie on Netflix depends on the resolution you are playing it on. On Standard (SD) settings, it will take around 2 GB of data to watch a 2-hour long movie on Netflix. On HD, a 2-hour-long Netflix movie uses around 6GB of data to stream, while it takes around 14GB to 40GB of data on 4K.

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Q: How much data do 20 minutes of Netflix use?

A: Netflix uses different amounts of data to stream or download things on different resolutions. For 20 minutes of streaming on Netflix, it takes around 100 MB of data on Low (480p), 200MB of data on Medium (720p), 1GB of data on High (1080p), and around 2GB of data on 4K resolution settings.

Q: How many GB is a 4K movie on Netflix?

A: A 2-hour long movie on 4K is anywhere between 14GB to 40GB based on the framerate and the playback quality you are getting on your device. If the movie is shorter, it’ll take less data to stream.

Q: How many hours of Netflix is 100 GB?

A: 100GB of streaming Netflix in SD gives you around 142 hours, while HD streaming gives you about 40 hours. And 4K UHD streaming gives you around 16 to 17 hours.

Q: Does downloading use less data than streaming on Netflix?

A: No, downloading Netflix content doesn’t use less data than streaming. It’s only a myth that we have debunked here.

Final Take:

Netflix streaming requires a good amount of data, and you must be careful when you don’t have an unlimited plan. Now you know the right answer to how much data Netflix use on every resolution setting and device. You can now determine the required data for any Netflix movie or episode.

That’s all for this quick guide. Feel free to use the comment box if you have any doubts, queries, or suggestions about anything shared above. We’ll be glad to assist you more. You can also share some cool Netflix recommendations in the comments.

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