While travelling, watching YouTube videos can make a long layover more fun for yourself, your friends, your kids, and really anyone else in your travel party. Unfortunately though, unfettered YouTube viewing while travelling is also one of the fastest ways to burn through data.
Almost since its inception, YouTube has been one of the easiest and most accessible ways to stay entertained online. It’s a social media platform that offers content on every subject you might imagine, including kids shows, cooking tutorials, political commentary, and travel vlogs.
If you’re catching up on your regular YouTube viewing during a train ride or while waiting for your tour to start, you might be surprised at how quickly the data usage adds up (and you wouldn’t be alone).
Here’s a helpful guide on exactly how much data YouTube uses, and how to reduce your data consumption without sacrificing the experience.
How much data does YouTube use?
Determining the answer to the question ‘how much data does YouTube use?’ actually depends primarily on the quality of the video. Put simply, the higher the video resolution, the more data it uses per hour.
This chart is a practical estimate of YouTube data usage based on common streaming qualities.
| Quality | Data per hour | Total data per month (based on 1 hour per day) |
| 240p | 300 MB | 9 GB |
| 360p | 500 MB | 15 GB |
| 480p | 700 MB | 21 GB |
| 720p (HD) | 1.5 GB | 45 GB |
| 1080p (Full HD) | 3 GB | 90 GB |
| 1440p (2K) | 6 GB | 180 GB |
| 2160p (4K) | 15 GB | 450 GB |
Even if you’re only streaming at a moderate quality (like 720p), that one hour of videos can use 45GB a month, which is typically more than what is allocated with a standard mobile plan.
What affects YouTube data usage?
Video quality (biggest factor)
The resolution of the video being watched is often the single most important factor. A jump in quality from 480p to 1080p will quadruple your data usage. You might even be streaming in HD already without realizing the impact.
Autoplay
It might be a convenient feature to have your videos keep rolling one after the next but autoplay can quietly double (or even triple) your usage. Be especially aware of this if you’re not actively watching.
Frame rate (60fps vs 30fps)
A higher frame rate in a video (60fps, for example) will use more data than a standard 30fps video.
Device (mobile vs tablet)
Keep in mind that a larger screen is likely to default to a higher resolution. Your smartphone might stream at a lower resolution but YouTube will push a higher quality if you switch to your tablet or laptop for the same video.
Download vs streaming
Streaming anything on Youtube will use data continuously. Downloads, on the other hand, only use data once and allow for offline viewing afterwards. They’re a more efficient option if you want to rewatch or plan to watch something while offline.
How to reduce how much data YouTube uses
You can stop fretting and take control of how much data does YouTube use with these tried and true strategies.
Lower the video quality
In the video settings menu you can reduce from 1080p to 480p, cutting your data usage without losing watchability.
Toggle off Autoplay
Prevent unnecessary videos from loading in the background with the simple control of disabling autoplay.
Use WiFi for downloads
Use Wi-Fi instead of data to download videos to watch at a later time.
Enable data saver mode
Set-it-and-forget-it with YouTube’s “Data Saver” setting that automatically reduces video quality. Find it under Profile > Settings.
Avoid high frame rate content
When you’re not on Wi-Fi, avoid high-definition videos or any content labelled 60fps as these are data-heavy formats as well as largely unnecessary for your mobile device.
Limit or disable background usage
If you’re not actively watching, make sure there’s no background playback quietly working to drain your data.
You can also check for a better estimate in response to your concern about ‘how much data does YouTube use?’ (as well as other platforms and services you might be accessing) with this handy travel data calculator.
Best settings for travellers to stay on top of YouTube data usage
Optimizing your YouTube setting should be a priority when you’re relying on mobile data abroad. With only a few key adjustments, you can significantly extend your data plan.
Start by lowering your default video quality to at least 480p (or lower). This will ensure a good balance between clarity and efficiency with most smartphone screens.
Avoid passive data usage by disabling autoplay, and enable downloads over Wi-Fi so that you’re not inadvertently eating through data.
You can also restrict background data for YouTube in your device settings to ensure that the app is only consuming data when you’re actively using it.
For your iPad or tablet, just double check that YouTube isn’t set to default to HD playback.
It behooves the frequent traveller to be mindful of YouTube’s offline features. Download any playlists and long videos of interest ahead of your trips so that you’re not stuck relying on data as a remedy for mid-transit boredom.
Enjoy YouTube with an unlimited travel data plan
Once you’re on top of your streaming settings, you will start to notice just how much data you are consuming in one sitting.
If you’re a content creator, marketer, or just love to watch analysis of the downfall of reality TV stars, YouTube might be a part of your regular travel routine. In this case, reliance on limited or expensive roaming plans can be a frustrating distraction from your viewing downtime.
The secret to stress free YouTube viewing without knowing exactly how much data does YouTube use? An unlimited travel data plan!
With an unlimited data plan from aloSIM, it’s easy to stay connected across multiple destinations. You don’t have to worry about overages or having to constantly check in on your data usage — just watch what you want, when you want.
