How much is 5 GB of data? A simple explanation with examples.

Considering a 5 GB data eSIM and not sure if it will be enough? No need to guess! The usage of 5 GB of mobile data varies depending on what you do on your phone and how often. The following overview will help you better understand whether a 5GB package is sufficient for your needs.

How much is 5 GB?

5 GB equals 5,000 MB. For better perspective, this size can be compared to:

  • approximately 1,500 photos in standard quality
  • about 1,000 music files in MP3 format

What can you do monthly with 5 GB of data?

According to surveys, the average smartphone user consumes around 5 GB of data monthly, so it's a common data package size that's sufficient for most people's basic mobile internet usage.

With 5 GB of data, you can manage the following during a month:

  • Browse websites approximately 2.5 hours daily
  • Scroll through social media about 1.5 hours daily
  • Listen to music on Spotify in standard quality for 1 hour daily
  • Watch YouTube videos in 480p quality for about 35 minutes daily
  • Use Google Maps navigation for about 8 hours monthly

Remember that combining these activities will consume your data limit faster. If you frequently connect to WiFi, your 5 GB will last much longer.

How long will a 5 GB package last?

It mostly depends on your phone usage style. Take a look at three typical scenarios:

  • Very light user
    "I read the news, use navigation occasionally, and sometimes search the web."
    100 MB per day = approximately 50 days
     
  • Average user
    "I stay connected through social media, listen to music while commuting, and occasionally use maps."
    360 MB per day = approximately 14 days
     
  • Heavy user
    "I watch videos daily, livestream, share content on social media, and constantly use navigation."
    2,500 MB per day = approximately 2 days

The key to success is understanding your own habits. Monitor your data consumption for several days to get a clearer picture of how much data you actually need.

How much data do popular apps use?

Different apps consume data differently. The biggest "data hogs" are typically streaming services and social media with video content. For example, YouTube in 480p resolution uses about 300 MB per hour, while TikTok can require up to 840 MB per hour due to constantly loading new videos.

Detailed overview of app data usage

ApplicationData usage
Google MapsGoogle Maps navigation: 10–50 MB/hour
YouTubeYouTube (480p): 300 MB/hour
NetflixNetflix 1GB/hour Basic quality, 3GB/hour HD, 7GB/hour 4K
FacebookBrowsing Facebook: 80 MB/hour
InstagramBrowsing Instagram: 120–150 MB/hour
WhatsAppWhatsApp chatting: 30 MB/hour; video calls: 350 MB/hour
SpotifySpotify (normal quality): 40 MB/hour
TikTokTikTok: 840 MB/hour

 

As you can see, video content consumes the most data. If you have a limited data package, focus on reducing the quality of videos you watch or download them in advance over WiFi.

How do I check how much data I've used?

Many eSIM package providers offer their own apps where you can track your current data usage in real-time. 

data-usage 2.png 

Monitoring data usage is key to effectively using your data package. Fortunately, modern phones make this very simple.

On iOS:

  • Go to Settings → Cellular
  • Below you'll see how much data individual apps are using
  • You can also set data limits and alerts

On Android:

  • Go to Settings → Network & internet → Data usage
  • You'll then see a detailed breakdown of which apps used the most data
  • You can set data alerts and restrictions

Tips for saving mobile data

Want your 5 GB to last as long as possible? Try these proven tricks:

  • Download content in advance over WiFi - music, videos, and maps for offline navigation
  • Reduce the quality of streamed content - on Spotify, YouTube, or Netflix
  • Turn off autoplay videos on social networks
  • Limit background app updates - set them to WiFi only
  • Activate data saver mode on your phone or directly in apps

Remember that the most effective way to save mobile data is to turn off mobile data when you don't need it and connect to WiFi networks whenever possible - at home, at work, in cafes, or shopping centers.

More detailed guides on saving data can be found in this article. 

Where can I find 5GB plans for any country?

Whether you're planning a vacation abroad or looking for the ideal data eSIM for everyday use, you can check out the vefru comparison of eSIM packages. This will give you an overview of offers in almost every country in the world, making it easy to choose how much data you really need.

Choose a package that matches your phone usage style - whether you're a light user who can manage with 5 GB, or you need more data volume for streaming videos and more demanding applications. With an eSIM for travel, you can connect immediately upon arrival and enjoy worry-free connectivity anywhere in the world.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5 GB of data enough for a vacation?
For a week-long vacation, 5 GB is usually sufficient if you use the internet normally - for maps, social media, and occasional web browsing. With daily consumption around 700 MB, 5 GB will last exactly one week. For longer stays or more intensive usage (video streaming), we recommend a larger package.
Which app uses the most data?
The biggest data consumers are Netflix in 4K quality (7 GB/hour) and YouTube, TikTok (840 MB/hour). On the other hand, Google Maps navigation (10-50 MB/hour), WhatsApp chatting (30 MB/hour), and Spotify in normal quality (40 MB/hour) use the least data.
How do I know when I'm running out of data?
Most eSIM providers will alert you via SMS or app notification when you reach 80% and 100% of your limit. You can also track your current usage in your phone settings (iOS: Settings → Cellular, Android: Settings → Network & internet → Data usage).
Can I buy more data when my 5 GB runs out?
Yes, with most eSIM providers you can purchase additional data. For example, Airalo and eSIM4travel support this. However, most providers can't maintain internet access to their app when data runs out, so it's good to buy more data in advance.
How long will 5 GB last when watching Netflix?
It depends on video quality: in basic quality you can watch about 5 hours, in HD quality only 1.5 hours, and in 4K less than an hour. To save data, we recommend downloading content in advance over WiFi or reducing playback quality.
Does an eSIM with 5 GB work for business trips too?
For basic business needs (emails, documents, occasional video calls), 5 GB per week is more than enough. But if you need frequent video conferences or download large files, consider a 10 GB or unlimited package instead.
What's the difference between 5 GB and unlimited data?
A 5 GB package provides an exact amount of data at a lower price. Unlimited packages are more expensive but you don't need to monitor usage. However, they often have speed restrictions after exceeding a daily limit (FUP). For normal use, 5 GB is sufficient, more cost-effective, and faster.

 

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What is eSIM?

eSIM allows you to use a digital SIM card instead of a traditional plastic one. This enables you to purchase a SIM card online for the country you're traveling to.

The most well-known eSIM providers on the market are Airalo, Holafly, eSIM4Travel, Yesim, Saily and others.

Frequently asked questions about eSIM:

More information about eSIM
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How to compare eSIM?

Here you can compare eSIM data packages for more than 170 countries, such as UK, USA, Egypt and others. And that for any duration and amount of data.

Along with additional information, such as provider ratings and whether the website is available in Czech.

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