How much data does live streaming use?
Straightforward math, rarely stated plainly: data usage = bitrate × time. Here are the real numbers.
GB per hour, by bitrate
| Bitrate | Quality ballpark | Data per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Mbps | 720p, soft | ~0.9 GB |
| 3 Mbps | 720p good / 1080p soft | ~1.35 GB |
| 4.5 Mbps | 1080p good | ~2.0 GB |
| 6 Mbps | 1080p excellent | ~2.7 GB |
| 8 Mbps | 1080p60 max | ~3.6 GB |
Adaptive bitrate changes the math
With adaptation, you don't pay peak price for the whole stream — weak-signal stretches cost less data. Real-world IRL streams typically average 60–80% of their ceiling.
Multistream multiplies it
Two destinations = two uploads. Streaming Twitch + Kick at 4.5 Mbps each is ~4 GB/hour. The fix: send one stream to a home server and fan out from there — your mobile plan pays for one copy.
Plan sizing
Estimate: hours-per-week × 2.5 GB × 4.3. Ten hours a week ≈ 108 GB/month. In much of Europe unlimited plans make this trivial; on capped plans, adaptive bitrate is your budget's best friend.
One Tap IRL handles adaptive bitrate, reconnects and GoPro/DJI streaming automatically — try it free for 30 days.