How much data does Netflix really consume? Answers!

That streaming services consume many megabytes is no secret. Something that stands out especially if we are watching Netflix from mobile with our data rate. If we are connected to the home WiFi, then the problem is associated with bandwidth we need to be able to see the image smoothly, either in SD or HD quality.

In today's post we are going to try to shed some light on this issue by providing concrete figures. Do youHow many megabytes does Netflix consume on mobile? What is the recommended bandwidth to play series and movies in 4K or UHD on the PC or on a Smart TV?

How much data does Netflix consume based on streaming quality?

Fortunately, Netflix already offers an estimated data consumption. It all depends mainly on the resolution of the image, regardless of whether we are using a mobile phone, a Smart TV, a tablet or a game console.

• 480p (LOW Resolution): Consumption of 300MB per hour.
• 720p (MEDIUM Resolution): Consumption of 700MB per hour.
• 1080p (HIGH Resolution): Consumption of 3GB per hour.
• 4K resolution (with or without HDR): Consumption of 7GB per hour.

It should be mentioned that Netflix does not offer an estimate of the data that 4K consumes with HDR activated. However, it recommends a 25 megabits per second connection for 4K content with HDR. A figure that, on the other hand, is the same that Netflix recommends for its Ultra HD content. Therefore, we understand that there is not much difference when it comes to data consumption, with or without HDR, once we have surpassed the 4K barrier.

It must also be borne in mind that all these consumption data are approximate. Netflix offers content at 24fps and 60fps, as well as various bitrates. Changes in bit and frame timing can significantly affect data consumption. In any case, as indicated by Android Authority, the empirical tests indicate that, mega up mega down, the approximations are quite correct.

What is the recommended bandwidth to watch Netflix smoothly?

As for internet connection speed is concerned, Netflix offers the following recommendation table.

• 5 Megabits per second- Minimum connection speed required.
• 5 Mbps- Recommended minimum connection speed.
• 3 Mbps: Recommended speed for content in SD quality.
• 5 Mbps: Recommended speed for HD quality content.
• 25 Mbps: Recommended speed for Ultra HD quality content.

How does Netflix affect my monthly data rate?

It is clear that if we have a Netflix subscription we will try to see many series and movies. They have a very extensive catalog and that can be a problem if we do not have a WiFi connection at hand.

To give us an idea, if we use Netflix for a month, at the rate of 1 hour a day, the expense in our data rate would be more or less the following.

Netflix in standard quality (SD)

• Every day (7 hours a week): Consumption of 21GB / month.
• Every two days (3.5 hours per week): Consumption of 10.5GB / month.
• Twice a week (2 hours a week): Consumption of 5.6GB / month.
• Once a week (1 hour a week): Consumption of 2.8GB / month.

Netflix in high definition (HD)

• Every day (7 hours a week): Consumption of 90GB / month.
• Every two days (3.5 hours per week): Consumption of 45GB / month.
• Twice a week (2 hours a week): 24GB / month consumption.
• Once a week (1 hour a week): Consumption of 12GB / month.

Netflix in Ultra HD / 4K

• Every day (7 hours a week): Consumption of 210GB / month.
• Every two days (3.5 hours per week): Consumption of 105GB / month.
• Twice a week (2 hours a week): Consumption of 56GB / month.
• Once a week (1 hour a week): 28GB / month consumption.

Tips to save megabytes on Netflix

After looking at all this data, we may want to put a little foot on the brakes. Next, we see a few tips that we can apply, either on mobile devices, PC or Smart TVs to save data on Netflix.

On the mobile phone

• Open the Netflix app and click on the button "More”, Located at the bottom right.
• Go to "Application Settings".
• Click on "Video Playback -> Mobile Data Usage”.

• Here we will have 3 options: "Wi-Fi only”So as not to spend a mega of the data rate. "Save data" that limit consumption to 1GB every 6 hours. “Maximum data”That takes advantage of all the possible bandwidth, be it WiFi or data. The option that comes by default, "Automatic”Is the one that seeks a balance between quality and data consumption.

In the browser of your desktop or laptop PC

• Sign in to Netflix from a browser.
• From the top menu go to the settings of “Bill”. Click on "Playback settings”.
• In this screen we can adjust the use of data per screen: "Low"(300MB / hour),"Medium”(700MB / hour) and“High”(3GB / hour for HD and 7GB / hour for UHD). From here we can also disable the automatic playback of upcoming episodes.

On a TV or Smart TV

If we have an Android TV Box, Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV, most of these devices have screen settings that allow limit resolution to 1080p. In this way we would be able to cut off all those extra gigs that we lose in 4K and Ultra HD reproductions.

In the case of Smart TVs, each one comes with its own pre-installed Netflix app. Many of them allow you to adjust the resolution, but others do not. Therefore, here it will depend on our brand and model of television to be able to carry out these types of restrictions.