Online Gaming – How Much Data Do You Spend in An Hour?
Online gaming continues to grow, with many new titles offering multiplayer experiences instead of single-player storylines. This shift raises an important question for gamers and parents alike: How much data does online gaming use per hour?
Understanding your data usage can help you choose the right internet plan. It also ensures you won’t run into overage charges or slowdowns.
How Much Data Usage to Expect Per Hour
When it comes to hourly data use, most online games are surprisingly light. Even the most data-hungry games rarely go beyond 300MB per hour. Many fall well below that.
For instance:
- Fortnite uses about 100MB per hour
- Minecraft only takes up 40MB
- Overwatch 2 consumes around 150MB
- PUBG is light too, using just 40MB
- Destiny 2 is heavier, averaging 300MB per hour
- Microsoft Flight Simulator stands out at 700MB per hour
These figures show that even the most demanding games use far less data than streaming a standard definition Netflix video. This puts gaming somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to internet usage.
This puts online gaming data usage between 40MB to 300MB per hour, depending on the title.
Game Type Makes a Difference
The type of game you play matters more than the console or device. Action-packed shooters and simulation games tend to use more data. On the other hand, card games or strategy games often use very little.
Here are a few examples:
- Hearthstone uses just 3MB per hour
- Final Fantasy XIV and Diablo IV only need about 20MB
- League of Legends sits at 45MB
- Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 jump up to 250MB
Even on the same platform, data use can vary widely based on the game’s design and how it communicates with its servers.
Does Platform Matter?
You might think that playing on a PlayStation, Xbox, or PC could affect how much data is used. Fortunately, that’s not the case.
Playing Fortnite on a PlayStation 4 uses the same amount of data as playing it on a PC or Xbox. What might differ slightly is the size of downloads. For instance, Baldur’s Gate 3 takes up around 100GB on a PlayStation 5 but 150GB on a PC.
So, the platform doesn’t matter. Focus more on the game when considering data usage.
Game Downloads and Updates: The Real Data Hogs
While hourly online gaming data usage is manageable, downloading games or updates can quickly eat through your allowance. Many modern titles now require over 100GB just to install.
Examples include:
- Final Fantasy XVI and Diablo IV are at about 90GB
- Forza Horizon 5 at 103GB
- Starfield at 125GB
- Star Wars Jedi Survivor 2 at 155GB
- NBA 2K23 at 152GB
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War over 130GB
Even games on disc often need massive patches. Destiny 2 updates can reach 5GB. That’s why consider how often you need to download updates on the game when deciding how much internet you will need.
Nintendo Switch users can breathe a little easier. Most digital games are under 10GB, with Tears of the Kingdom at just 16.3GB. Mobile games are even smaller, usually under 1GB.
Gaming on a Hotspot: Same Usage, Different Risks
If you game using a hotspot or tether from your phone, your hourly data usage remains the same. So yes, the per-hour usage of online gaming still ranges from 40MB to 300MB.
But mobile plans often have strict data caps. That means game downloads or large updates can eat through your allowance quickly. If you’re using 300MB per hour, a 10GB mobile plan only gives you about 33 hours of gameplay. Lightweight games like Hearthstone or Rocket League give you more hours for the same amount of data.
Choosing the Right Plan: Beyond Just Data
Aside from data limits, two other things matter when picking a plan for gaming: performance and speed.
Performance, often called ping, affects how quickly your device talks to the game server. A wired or NBN connection usually gives a lower ping than mobile broadband or wireless internet. While casual players might not notice, competitive gamers will.
Speed doesn’t change how the game plays, but it affects download times. Faster speeds let you download huge updates or new games in less time.
Don’t Let Data Caps Steal Your Wins
Gaming should be fun, not a constant worry about data limits or surprise fees. Whether you’re grinding through levels or casually exploring open worlds, knowing your data usage helps you stay in control. Smart choices about your internet plan protect your playtime, your wallet, and your experience. Instead of guessing how much data online gaming uses per hour or stressing over downloads, take charge. Monitor your habits, plan, and play without limits. When you understand how gaming affects your data, you don’t just game better, you game smarter.
