Watching YouTube can use a lot of mobile data, especially while traveling. If you're using an eSIM or a limited data plan, it's important to know how much data each video consumes. This article explains YouTube data usage by resolution and video length, compares it with other streaming platforms, and offers tips to reduce your data use.
YouTube Data Usage by Video Quality
Different video resolutions use different amounts of data. The higher the resolution, the more data you use.
Data Usage per Minute and per Hour
| Resolution | Data Per Minute | Data Per Hour |
| 144p | 1.9 MB | 114 MB |
| 240p | 2.7 MB | 162 MB |
| 360p | 4.4 MB | 264 MB |
| 480p | 7.7 MB | 462 MB |
| 720p | 14.5 MB | 870 MB |
| 1080p | 24.4 MB | 1.46 GB |
| 1440p | 33 MB | 2 GB |
YouTube Data Usage by Video Length
Use this table to estimate how much data a video will use, based on quality and duration.
Data Usage by Duration and Resolution
| Video Length | 144p | 240p | 360p | 480p | 720p | 1080p |
| 1 min | 1.9 MB | 2.7 MB | 4.4 MB | 7.7 MB | 14.5 MB | 24.4 MB |
| 10 min | 19 MB | 27 MB | 44 MB | 77 MB | 145 MB | 244 MB |
| 30 min | 57 MB | 81 MB | 132 MB | 231 MB | 435 MB | 732 MB |
| 1 hour | 114 MB | 162 MB | 264 MB | 462 MB | 870 MB | 1.46 GB |
YouTube Shorts, Music, and TV
Estimated Data Usage for Other YouTube Services
| Type | Data Usage Estimate |
| YouTube Shorts (30 sec @ 720p) | ~7 MB |
| YouTube Music (standard quality) | ~150 MB/hour |
| YouTube Music (high quality) | ~300 MB/hour |
| YouTube TV (HD streaming) | ~3 GB/hour |
What Affects How Much Data YouTube Uses?
- Video resolution: Higher quality uses more data.
- Video length: Longer videos use more data.
- Device type: Phones often use lower quality than desktops or TVs.
- App settings: The app may automatically lower quality.
- Connection type: Streaming on mobile or eSIM still counts as data usage.
How to Reduce Data Usage on YouTube
Tips to Save Mobile Data
- Watch videos at 144p or 240p.
- Turn on “Data Saver” mode in the YouTube app.
- Download videos using Wi-Fi.
- Disable auto-play to avoid loading extra videos.
- Choose an eSIM plan with enough data for video use.
YouTube vs Other Streaming Platforms: Data Usage Comparison
YouTube isn't the only app that uses mobile data. Here's how it compares with other platforms:
| Platform | Quality | Data Per Hour |
| YouTube | 1080p | ~1.46 GB |
| Netflix | 1080p | ~3 GB |
| Disney+ | 1080p | ~2.5 GB |
| TikTok | Mixed | ~840 MB – 1.5 GB |
| Instagram Reels | Mixed | ~500 MB – 1 GB |
| Spotify | High | ~150 MB – 300 MB |
| Apple Music | High | ~250 MB |
Note: Values are based on average usage. Compression and settings may affect the final amount.
Takeaway: YouTube is lighter than Netflix or Disney+ for full HD, but heavier than TikTok or Spotify. Lowering resolution makes a big difference, especially on mobile data.
Final Thoughts
If you're using mobile data or an eSIM, tracking your YouTube usage helps avoid extra charges. Watching one hour at 720p can use up to 870 MB, while 1080p can go past 1.4 GB. By choosing lower quality or downloading over Wi-Fi, you can stream smarter while keeping your data plan under control.
