Travel data calculator: how much data do I need?
Set how many days you are travelling and what you do on your phone, and the calculator estimates the data you need and the plan size that covers it.
This calculator needs JavaScript. The main rates are in the table below the calculator: hours a day, times the rate, times your days.
How many days is your trip?
Pick the closest, or type it.
How do you use your phone?
Pick one, then change anything below.
Hours a day, roughly
Only count what you do on mobile data. Anything you do on Wi-Fi does not use your Atli data.
Where your data goes
How the estimate works
The calculator multiplies the time you set for each activity by its planning rate, adds 50 MB a day for background activity, then multiplies the daily estimate by the number of days in your trip.
Key rates used
| Activity | Planning rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Maps and navigation | 5 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Messaging | 10 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Browsing and email | 30 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Music streaming | 72 MB/hour | Spotify High, 160 kbps |
| Social scrolling | 300 MB/hour | Atli planning estimate |
| Video calls | 540 MB/hour | Zoom, 600 kbps each way |
| Video streaming, Automatic | 250 MB/hour | Netflix mobile settings |
| Background and app updates | 50 MB/day | Atli planning estimate |
Estimates based on typical use. Real figures vary with the phone, the app and the network. Messaging, browsing and music are counted the same way.
FAQ
How much data do I need for a week?
It depends on how you use your phone. Set the calculator to 7 days and choose Light, Regular or Heavy use, then adjust any activities that do not match you.
What uses the most data?
Video streaming, video calls, large downloads and cloud activity can use data quickly. See How much data do apps use? for the current planning rates and sources.
How accurate is the estimate?
It is a planning estimate, not a meter reading. Actual usage varies by app, quality settings, phone and network.
The calculator also includes 50 MB a day as the current Atli planning estimate for background activity.
What if I run out of data?
You can buy another plan during your trip. See What happens when my data runs out? for how the next plan works.