Video Call Data Usage

Estimate how much data a video call consumes by combining the average bitrate of the stream with the total minutes connected—handy for bandwidth planning and mobile hotspot budgets.

Include both video and audio throughput. Most apps display this in the call statistics or quality settings.
Use the total connected time, including pre-call lobby or screen-sharing segments.

Actual consumption varies with resolution, screen sharing, recording, and congestion control. Always check provider reports or router logs when planning against strict data caps.

Examples

  • 2.8 Mbps for 45 minutes ⇒ 945 MB (≈0.92 GB)
  • 1.5 Mbps for 60 minutes ⇒ 675 MB
  • 3.5 Mbps for 20 minutes ⇒ 525 MB
  • 5.0 Mbps for 90 minutes ⇒ 3,375 MB (≈3.30 GB)

FAQ

Does the bitrate include both video and audio?

Yes. Use the combined stream bitrate reported by your conferencing app or add separate video and audio rates together.

Why is the multiplier 7.5?

1 Mbps equals 1,000,000 bits per second. Divide by 8 to convert to bytes, then multiply by 60 seconds for each minute: 1,000,000 ÷ 8 × 60 = 7,500,000 bytes ≈ 7.5 MB per Mbps-minute.

How do adaptive bitrates affect accuracy?

Adaptive codecs raise or lower bitrate based on motion and screen content. Use an average from past calls or add a 15% cushion to this estimate.

Can I track monthly usage with this tool?

Yes. Multiply the per-call result by the number of meetings per month and convert to GB to compare with data caps.

Additional Information

  • Formula: Data (MB) = Bitrate (Mbps) × Duration (minutes) × 7.5. The factor 7.5 comes from 60 seconds per minute and 8 bits per byte.
  • Convert to gigabytes by dividing the MB result by 1,024 (for GiB) or 1,000 (for decimal GB) depending on your provider's billing practice.
  • To estimate monthly usage, multiply the result by your expected number of calls and add a 10–20% buffer for bitrate spikes.

Related calculators