The mobile data debate can get heated. Many cellphone users swear by unlimited mobile data plans. While others are firmly in the \u201conly pay for what you use\u201d mobile data camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But really, how much data does the average person use? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve ever wondered what the answer to that question is, or if you\u2019ve ever looked at your cellphone plan and tried to decipher how much data you\u2019re actually using\u2014or if you could save money by using less data\u2014it\u2019s worth a few minutes of your time to keep reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because you\u2019re not alone. Plenty of folks are trying to figure out how much mobile data they need without wasting money or running short halfway through the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re using your cellphone to occasionally check email, or you\u2019ve got a daily habit of streaming your favorite shows, understanding your mobile data usage can help you pick the right cellphone plan, avoid overage fees and keep your monthly bill under control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we\u2019ll provide a quick refresher on what mobile data is, how it\u2019s measured and how to estimate your own usage\u2014even if at the present you\u2019re not quite sure what a gigabyte really is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking for an in-depth breakdown on all things mobile data, be sure to check out our previous blog post on that topic. But for the purposes of this post, we\u2019ll hit the spoilers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you’re not on Wi-Fi, your phone uses mobile data to connect to the internet. That means things like browsing websites, streaming videos, using GPS and checking your email all pull from your data plan when you’re on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to measurement, mobile data is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). Here\u2019s a quick breakdown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when you\u2019re trying to figure out how much is one GB of data, think of it as a bucket. Every time you stream, scroll or send a message, you\u2019re dipping into that bucket. The bigger your bucket, the more you can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And remember, mobile data is different from Wi-Fi. If you’re at home, work or your favorite coffee shop and connected to a Wi-Fi network, your phone isn\u2019t using up your data plan. But once you step outside or lose your Wi-Fi signal, you’re back on cellular data\u2014the same thing as mobile data\u2014just a different label depending on your device<\/a>. Your mobile data, combined with your network\u2019s coverage<\/a>, is what keeps you connected when Wi-Fi isn\u2019t an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the question from the top: How much data does the average person use? <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to recent studies<\/a>, the typical smartphone user in the US uses anywhere between five to 15 GB of data per month. But that number can swing wildly depending on your cellphone habits. Some folks barely use one GB, while others might burn through 30 GB without even realizing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a quick guide to how much data common tasks use, so you can see where your MBs, or GBs, are going by the hour:<\/p>\n\n\n\nAverage <\/strong>Mobile Data Usage<\/strong> Breakdown<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n