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How many GB does a person use per month?
We explain how many gigabytes a person uses per month on their mobile, depending on their usage and the apps they use — and how many gigabytes you really need to sign up for.
In the digital age, mobile data has become as essential as water or electricity. Whether it’s staying in touch with loved ones, watching your favourite series on the way to work, or closing an important business deal from anywhere, the gigabytes in your mobile plan are the currency that makes it all possible.
But have you ever wondered how many gigabytes you actually need? Or how much data an average person uses per month?
In this article, we’re going to dive into the world of mobile data consumption. We’ll help you understand not only how many gigabytes you use, but also how to optimise your usage so you get the most out of your plan.
Get ready to find out whether those 100 GB you’re being offered are a real bargain or overkill — and how to adapt your data usage to your real needs, whether for leisure, work, or both.
Let’s start this journey through the mobile data universe.
What are gigabytes on your mobile?
Gigabytes, or GB, are units used to measure digital data. In mobile plans, they represent the amount of information you can send or receive using your mobile data connection.
Think of gigabytes as a data bank account. Every time you browse the internet, watch a video, or send a message on WhatsApp, you’re “spending” from that account. How many gigabytes you need depends on how you use your phone and which apps you use most often.
How many gigabytes does each mobile app use?
Data consumption varies greatly depending on the app. Here’s an approximate breakdown of some of the most popular apps:
| App | Usage per hour | Monthly usage (moderate use) |
|---|---|---|
| 10–50 MB | 1–2 GB | |
| 80–160 MB | 2–4 GB | |
| 60–150 MB | 1.5–3 GB | |
| YouTube | 300–700 MB | 15–30 GB |
| Spotify | 40–150 MB | 2–5 GB |
| Netflix | 1–3 GB | 20–60 GB |
| TikTok | 100–250 MB | 5–10 GB |
| Zoom | 500–1500 MB | 10–30 GB |
These figures are approximate and can vary depending on content quality and app settings. For example, watching videos in HD uses significantly more data than standard quality.
How to check how many gigabytes you use per month
To manage your data effectively, it’s essential to know how many gigabytes you’re using each month. Both Android and iOS include built-in tools to track data usage.
Check data usage on Android (step by step)
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Open Settings on your Android device.
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Go to Connections or Network & Internet.
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Tap Data usage.
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You’ll see a graph showing your usage for the current billing cycle.
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You can adjust the billing cycle to match your operator’s period.
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Scroll down to see usage by app.
Check data usage on iOS (step by step)
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Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
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Tap Mobile Data.
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Scroll down to see Mobile Data Usage.
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You’ll see total usage and a breakdown by app.
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To reset statistics, tap Reset Statistics at the bottom.
These tools give you a good estimate, but for the most accurate figures, it’s best to check directly with your mobile provider.
How many gigabytes do I need on my mobile?
The amount of data you need depends largely on your usage habits:
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Light use (1–5 GB/month): Messaging apps, occasional email, light browsing.
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Moderate use (5–20 GB/month): Regular social media use, video watching, music streaming.
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Heavy use (20–50 GB/month): Frequent HD video, regular video calls, occasional hotspot use.
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Very heavy use (50+ GB/month): 4K video, online gaming, or using your phone as your main internet connection.
Is 100 GB a lot or a little?
Today, 100 GB is a large amount of data for most users. To put it into perspective, with 100 GB you could:
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Watch around 33 hours of Netflix in HD.
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Listen to Spotify for roughly 1,500 hours.
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Spend hundreds of hours on social media.
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Make over 60 hours of HD video calls.
That said, if you’re a very heavy user or rely on your mobile connection as your main internet source for multiple devices, even 100 GB might fall short. It all depends on your usage.
How many GB do I need if I work remotely using mobile data?
Remote work has significantly increased mobile data usage. If you rely on your mobile connection for work, you should consider at least 50 GB per month, though 100 GB or more is ideal. This allows you to:
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Join video meetings without interruptions.
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Upload and download large files.
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Use online collaboration tools smoothly.
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Still have data left for personal use.
As a complement to mobile data — whether for everyday use or remote work — having a home broadband connection is highly recommended. High-speed broadband offers greater stability and much higher speeds.
If you work from home regularly, combining a solid mobile plan with home broadband will give you the best performance.
And to make the most of your home broadband, especially if you work remotely or have many connected devices, our WiFi Coverage+ service with WiFi Mesh technology ensures strong signal throughout your entire home.
Unlimited data?
As we’ve seen, how many gigabytes you need each month depends on your habits and is key when choosing a mobile plan. That’s why at Olin we’ve simplified things with our unlimited data mobile plans.
Whether you’re a casual user, a professional who depends on connectivity for remote work, or a streaming fan who doesn’t want to miss a single episode, our plans let you do it all — without limits.
Ready to forget about data caps and enjoy real digital freedom? Explore our unlimited data plans. With Olin, you get the peace of mind of a connection with no limits, so you can enjoy your digital life without worries.
To sum it up: how many GB does a person use per month? It varies from one user to another. That’s why we recommend reviewing your monthly usage and adjusting your plan so you don’t overpay — or run out of data before the end of the month.
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