How much mobile data do I actually need per day?

It depends almost entirely on video. Messaging, email and maps sip data — often under 100 MB a day combined. Streaming video is what drains a plan: an hour of HD video can use 2–3 GB on its own. If you avoid streaming on mobile data, 500 MB–1 GB a day covers most travellers; if you stream, plan for several GB a day.

Are these numbers exact?

No, and we won't pretend otherwise. They're industry-standard estimates for each activity, multiplied by the hours you enter. Real usage varies with video quality, app settings, and how often you're on Wi-Fi. We add a buffer on top and round up so the estimate errs toward 'enough' rather than 'just short'.

Does using Wi-Fi change the estimate?

Yes — a lot. This calculator sizes your mobile-data (eSIM) usage, so only count the hours you're actually off Wi-Fi. Most hotels, cafés and rentals have Wi-Fi, so your eSIM often only carries maps and messaging while you're out, plus whatever you stream on the go.

What if I run out mid-trip?

You top up the same eSIM — there's no new QR to scan and no new number. That's the safety net: it's better to buy a modest plan sized to this estimate and top up if you're heavier than expected than to overbuy data that expires unused.

Is anything I enter here sent anywhere?

No. The whole calculation runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server, stored, or tied to any account.

eSIM & data planning

eSIM data usage calculator

The hardest part of buying a travel eSIM is guessing how many gigabytes you'll need. Tell this calculator how long you're away and what you do online each day, and it estimates your total — with a sensible buffer — so you buy a plan that fits instead of over- or under-paying. The numbers are honest estimates, not a meter.

Trip length (days)

Hours per day, only counting time off Wi-Fi

Browsing & emaillight web, maps search, emailSocial mediascrolling feeds with images/videoMaps & navigationlive turn-by-turn navigationPhoto & video uploadsbacking up or posting camera mediaMusic streamingstandard-quality audioVideo callsone-to-one video, per hourVideo streaming (SD)standard-definition videoVideo streaming (HD)high-definition video

Estimated use per day: —
Trip total (7 days, +20% buffer): —
Suggested plan size: —

Estimates only, based on typical per-activity data rates — real usage varies with video quality and app settings. The whole calculation runs in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

How the estimate works

Each activity has a typical data rate per hour — maps and messaging are light, standard video is heavy, HD video is heaviest. The calculator multiplies the hours you enter by those rates, scales it across your trip, and adds a 20% buffer so the number errs toward "enough" rather than "just short."

Only count hours you're actually offWi-Fi — that's the data your eSIM carries. If your hotel and cafés have Wi-Fi, your eSIM often only handles maps and messaging while you're out.

Rough data costs, at a glance

A day of maps, messaging and email: usually well under 0.5 GB.
Heavy social-media scrolling: roughly 1–1.5 GB for a few hours.
An hour of HD video: 2–3 GB on its own — the single biggest drain.
A week of light travel use without streaming: often 3–5 GB total.

Buy modest, then top up

Because you can top up the same eSIM mid-trip — no new QR, no new number — it's cheaper to buy a plan sized to this estimate and add more if you go over than to overbuy data that expires unused.

eSIM data calculator — common questions

How much mobile data do I actually need per day?: It depends almost entirely on video. Messaging, email and maps sip data — often under 100 MB a day combined. Streaming video is what drains a plan: an hour of HD video can use 2–3 GB on its own. If you avoid streaming on mobile data, 500 MB–1 GB a day covers most travellers; if you stream, plan for several GB a day.
Are these numbers exact?: No, and we won't pretend otherwise. They're industry-standard estimates for each activity, multiplied by the hours you enter. Real usage varies with video quality, app settings, and how often you're on Wi-Fi. We add a buffer on top and round up so the estimate errs toward 'enough' rather than 'just short'.
Does using Wi-Fi change the estimate?: Yes — a lot. This calculator sizes your mobile-data (eSIM) usage, so only count the hours you're actually off Wi-Fi. Most hotels, cafés and rentals have Wi-Fi, so your eSIM often only carries maps and messaging while you're out, plus whatever you stream on the go.
What if I run out mid-trip?: You top up the same eSIM — there's no new QR to scan and no new number. That's the safety net: it's better to buy a modest plan sized to this estimate and top up if you're heavier than expected than to overbuy data that expires unused.
Is anything I enter here sent anywhere?: No. The whole calculation runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server, stored, or tied to any account.

Related free tools

eSIM compatibility checkerCheck whether your phone can use an eSIM before you buy a plan.IP, DNS & IPv6 checkerSee the public IP the internet sees, whether IPv6 is exposed, and what DNS leaks mean.

All free privacy tools

What NordSecure does about it

A free test tells you what's leaking. Fixing it usually means changing the device or the connection, not just the browser tab — which is exactly what NordSecure sells, without a name or an account.