YouTube offers more quality steps than any other major platform, from 144p up to 4K and even 8K. By default the app picks a resolution based on your connection speed and screen size, which often means higher quality — and more data — than you actually need on a phone screen.
Typical figures are around 0.7 GB per hour for 480p (SD), about 3 GB per hour for 720p/1080p, and around 7 GB per hour for 4K. Short videos add up quickly: watching an hour of Shorts or autoplaying recommendations each evening on mobile data can easily consume 20–90 GB a month depending on quality.
To keep usage under control, open YouTube's settings and set 'Video quality preferences' for mobile networks to 'Data saver'. You can also turn off autoplay so the next video doesn't start automatically. YouTube Premium lets you download videos over Wi-Fi for offline viewing, which is useful for commuting.
Live streams and premieres use similar data to regular videos at the same resolution, but they are often watched for longer stretches. Background music played through YouTube — instead of YouTube Music audio-only mode — still downloads the video stream, so switching to audio-only can cut usage dramatically.
The calculator above is pre-filled with a typical YouTube session. Adjust the hours and quality to match how you watch, add other services you use, and see your monthly total alongside a recommended data plan.