Netflix data consumption ranges from 0.3 GB per hour on the lowest quality setting up to 7 GB per hour for 4K Ultra HD with HDR. Standard HD at 1080p lands around 3 GB per hour, and standard definition sits near 1 GB per hour. These numbers come directly from Netflix's own bitrate tiers — understanding them helps you control your monthly data bill and choose the right plan for your connection speed.
Netflix Data Usage by Quality Tier
Netflix uses adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming, meaning the app dynamically shifts quality up and down based on your available bandwidth. But you can also lock it to a specific tier via the app settings. Here is exactly how much data each tier consumes:
| Quality Setting | Resolution | Avg. Bitrate | Data Per Hour | Data Per 2-Hr Movie |
| Low | 480p and below | ~500 Kbps | ~0.3 GB | ~0.6 GB |
| Medium (SD) | 480p | ~1,000 Kbps | ~1 GB | ~2 GB |
| High (HD) | 720p–1080p | ~3,000–5,000 Kbps | ~3 GB | ~6 GB |
| Ultra HD (4K) | 2160p + HDR | ~15,000–25,000 Kbps | ~7 GB | ~14 GB |
| Auto | Varies | Adapts to connection | Varies | Varies |
How Netflix's Codecs Affect Data Usage
Netflix has been rolling out AV1 encoding to reduce data consumption without sacrificing visual quality. On supported devices (newer Android phones, certain smart TVs, and web browsers with AV1 support), Netflix can deliver the same perceived quality as HEVC at roughly 20–30% lower bitrate. That means a stream that would have used 3 GB/hr with H.264 might only consume 2.1–2.4 GB/hr with AV1. If you want a deeper look at how these codecs compare, the video codec comparison for H.264 vs HEVC vs VP9 vs AV1 covers efficiency trade-offs in detail.
For standard HD content, Netflix still serves a lot of H.264 (AVC) because it has the widest device compatibility. H.264 at 1080p runs at roughly 3,000–5,000 Kbps on Netflix. HEVC (H.265) is used almost exclusively for 4K and HDR tiers, where its 40–50% efficiency advantage over H.264 is what makes 4K streaming practical at under 25 Mbps.
How Much Data Does Netflix Use Per Month?
At 1 hour of streaming per day:
| Quality | Daily | Weekly | Monthly (30 days) |
| Low | 0.3 GB | 2.1 GB | 9 GB |
| SD (Medium) | 1 GB | 7 GB | 30 GB |
| HD (High) | 3 GB | 21 GB | 90 GB |
| 4K Ultra HD | 7 GB | 49 GB | 210 GB |
Changing Your Netflix Data Settings
Netflix lets you control data usage per device or account-wide. Here is where to find the settings:
- Mobile app (Android/iOS): Tap your profile icon → App Settings → Video Quality. Choose Auto, Save Data, or Maximum Data.
- Web browser (netflix.com): Account → Playback settings → Data usage per screen. Options are Auto, Low, Medium, High, and Ultra HD (if your plan supports it).
- Smart TVs and streaming sticks: Settings vary by device, but most route through the Netflix app menu under Video Quality or Playback Settings.
The Save Data option on mobile is the most aggressive throttle — it caps playback at roughly 500 Kbps (about 0.3 GB/hr) regardless of connection speed. This is useful when tethering or on a limited mobile data plan.
What Internet Speed Does Netflix Actually Require?
Netflix publishes minimum recommended speeds, but these are conservative floors, not targets for a good experience:
| Quality | Minimum Mbps | Recommended Mbps |
| SD (480p) | 1 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| HD (720p) | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| Full HD (1080p) | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 4K Ultra HD | 15 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| 4K + HDR10/Dolby Vision | 15 Mbps | 25–30 Mbps |
The word "stable" is key. Netflix's ABR algorithm reacts to bandwidth fluctuations by dropping quality. A connection that averages 25 Mbps but dips to 8 Mbps every few minutes will trigger constant quality switches on 4K content. A consistent 15 Mbps connection will typically hold 4K more reliably than a volatile 50 Mbps one.
Downloading Netflix for Offline Viewing: Data at Download
If you download content on the Netflix mobile app, the file sizes depend on the download quality setting — not the same as the streaming quality setting:
| Download Quality | Approx. File Size (1-hr episode) |
| Standard | 150–300 MB |
| High | 400–700 MB |
| Ultra (on supported plans) | 1–2 GB |
Comparing Netflix Data Usage to Other Streaming Services
For context, here is how Netflix stacks up against other major platforms at comparable quality levels:
| Service | HD (1 hr) | 4K (1 hr) | Primary Codec |
| Netflix | ~3 GB | ~7 GB | H.264 / HEVC / AV1 |
| YouTube | ~2.7 GB | ~6 GB | VP9 / AV1 |
| Disney+ | ~3.5 GB | ~8 GB | H.264 / HEVC |
| Amazon Prime Video | ~2.5 GB | ~6 GB | H.264 / HEVC / AV1 |
| Apple TV+ | ~4 GB | ~9 GB | HEVC |
Tips to Reduce Netflix Data Usage
- Lock quality on mobile. "Auto" on a phone with a strong Wi-Fi signal will push maximum quality. If you are budget-conscious, manually set it to Medium or Low.
- Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi on smart TVs. A wired connection is more stable, which means ABR stays at the top quality tier consistently instead of fluctuating — you get the same data usage but better and more consistent picture quality.
- Download over Wi-Fi, watch offline. Downloading one season over Wi-Fi before a flight costs the same data as streaming it, but you control exactly when that data is spent.
- Check your router's QoS settings. Prioritizing streaming traffic can reduce the buffer-related quality drops that cause ABR to overshoot by briefly requesting higher-quality segments before dropping back.
Understanding your actual data usage also matters for your upload side if you are a content creator. Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube have their own bitrate requirements — the best OBS bitrate settings guide covers what you need to send out, not just what you consume.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much data does Netflix use in 4K per hour?
Netflix 4K Ultra HD streams at an average sustained bitrate of roughly 15,000–16,000 Kbps, which works out to approximately 7 GB per hour. Peak segments during high-motion scenes can briefly hit 25,000 Kbps (about 11 GB/hr equivalent), but the average over a full episode or movie is typically 6–8 GB. HDR content (HDR10 or Dolby Vision) does not significantly increase bitrate on its own — the metadata overhead is minimal.
Does Netflix use data on Wi-Fi?
Yes, Netflix uses your internet data whether you are on Wi-Fi or mobile data. Wi-Fi is simply the protocol between your router and device — the data still counts against any cap your ISP imposes. The distinction that matters is mobile data vs. broadband: most home internet plans have higher or no caps, while mobile plans often cap at 15–100 GB per month. On mobile networks, use the Save Data setting or download over Wi-Fi first.
Can I stream Netflix on 1 Mbps?
Technically yes — Netflix will drop to its lowest quality tier (around 500 Kbps) and stream at roughly 360p or lower. The experience will be noticeably blocky, especially on a TV. For anything resembling watchable quality, 3 Mbps is the realistic minimum for SD, and 5–10 Mbps for HD. If your connection tests at around 1 Mbps, buffering will be frequent on anything above the Low setting.
How do I check how much data Netflix has used?
Netflix does not provide a built-in data usage dashboard. The most reliable method is to check your router's traffic statistics if your router supports it, or use your ISP's data usage meter. On mobile, both iOS (Settings → Mobile Data) and Android (Settings → Network → Data Usage) track per-app consumption. For a precise figure, most modern routers running DD-WRT or OpenWrt firmware can log per-device usage in real time.