How much is 1GB of data?

If you’re shopping for a wireless plan, you may be tempted to opt for unlimited data, just in case. You’re not alone. Unlimited plans are a great fit for many wireless users, but you may not actually need that much. Of course, you may have suspected that, which is why you’re reading a blog titled “How much is 1GB of data?” right now. Here, we’ll break down what 1GB really amounts to, because knowing how much data you need starts with knowing how much data 1GB actually is, and what you can do with it. 

What can I do with 1GB of data in a day?

Pretty much everything you do on your phone that requires data can be done with 1GB, you just have to be a lot more mindful of how much time you spend on each activity, especially when doing more data-hungry stuff like live streaming or high-def gaming. It’s kinda like the groceries you buy when you only have $15 (just the essentials) vs when you just got paid (new ice cream flavor? Why not). Or think of it like snacking. If you have a new, full box of your favorite cookies, you may not think twice about eating a whole row in one sitting or sharing with others. But if you’ve only got two or three cookies left, you may opt to treat yourself to just one a day, to really savor them. And… now I want cookies. One sec.  

Okay, I’m back. Here’s an example of how 1GB of data could be used in a day:

But if you like to stream tons of high-quality videos or play games daily without being on Wi-Fi, 1GB probably isn’t going to be enough for you. 

How long does 1GB of data last?

How long your data lasts depends on how you use it (and how often you use it when you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi). If your phone spends most of its time in your pocket when you’re out & about and you’re connected to Wi-Fi when you’re at home, 1GB might last you a while. But if you decide to livestream a basketball game in HD while riding in an Uber, 1GB of data will probably run out before the shot clock. 

Checking a text-only email or two and doing some online shopping won’t eat up 1GB too quickly but videos and music certainly will. That’s why we recommend you download any videos or music you plan on streaming ahead of time, while you’re connected to Wi-Fi, so you won’t need to use your data to enjoy them later.    

Is 1GB a lot of data?

By today’s standards? No, not really. However, data usage varies from person to person. Compared to your typical 15GB or Unlimited plan, 1GB definitely doesn’t seem like much. But there are some people out there for whom 1GB of data could be more than enough. If you work from home and have a reliable Wi-Fi connection everywhere else you go, you might barely touch 1GB of data.

Is 1GB enough data for a month?

Based on our experience, we think it’s safe to say that 1GB of data is probably not enough for an entire month. However, knowing what 1GB of data can do and then looking at how much you’ve been using can help you save data (and money) in the long run. Like we said, if you’re connected to Wi-Fi 24/7 or just don’t listen to music or watch videos on your phone, your data usage is probably pretty low. But it’s still good to have data available if you ever need it, like when you have to show your friend the funniest dog video you’ve ever seen, or you need to use Google Maps because you’re lost and need to get home. That’s why we recommend at least 5GB of data per month. 

How much data is enough for you? Let’s find out

Now that you know what 1GB of data can do for you, figuring out how much data you need each month should be a bit easier. Or if you really want to dig deeper than gigs, you can learn how many MB are in a GB by checking out our blog on data measurement. We’ve also got a short quiz you can take to see which of our plans would work best for you. Don’t worry, it’s open-note.