5GB of data - How much is it and how long does it last?

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What is 5GB?

5GB stands for 5 gigabytes. As 1 gigabyte is equal to 1,000 megabytes, 5GB is 5,000 megabytes. Bytes are units of data, and are not to be confused with bits, megabits, and gigabits, which are used to measure download and upload speeds. For more info, read our guide on the difference between bits and bytes.

How much is 5GB of mobile data?

Most network providers in the UK offer 5GB data packages, including big names like O2 and Vodafone, as well as smaller MVNOs such as iD Mobile and Asda Mobile. Prices currently start at just £6 per month from iD Mobile, but you could be paying as much as £28 a month from the likes of Vodafone. That’s why it’s so important to compare deals before committing!

Take a look at these 5GB mobile data plans:

1 month 5GB deals

Many network providers in the UK offer 5GB of data per month on rolling monthly SIM deals. These include:

Provider	Calls and texts	Monthly cost
	Unlimited	£6	See deal
	Unlimited	£6	See deal
	Unlimited	£7	See deal
	Unlimited	£23	See deal
	Unlimited	£28	See deal

12 month 5GB deals

You can also choose to sign up for a longer 12-month SIM only contract offering 5GB of data per month. Take a look at the following deals:

Provider	Calls and texts	Monthly cost
	Unlimited	£6	See deal
	Unlimited	£16	See deal

24 month 5GB deals

A few more providers offer 5GB of data per month on 24-month SIM deals. While you'll be sacrificing flexibility with these longer contracts, they could help you to save a few quid each month:

Provider	Calls and texts	Monthly cost
	Unlimited	£6	See deal
	Unlimited	£11	See deal
	Unlimited	£13	See deal
	Unlimited	£15	See deal

How long does 5GB last?

5GB can allow for almost 3 and a half days of internet browsing, over 2 days of social media scrolling, almost a day and a half of streaming music, or up to 16 hours+ of Netflix. With a 5GB monthly data plan, this equates to around 2 and a half hours of scrolling, an hour of music, and 6 minutes of YouTube in Full HD per day.

Here’s what you can do with 5GB of data:

Is 5GB enough for me?

According to Ofcom’s latest Communications Markets Report, the average smartphone user consumers 4.5GB of mobile data in 2020. This rises year on year, so 5GB is probably in line with the current average.

So, if you’re an average mobile user, 5GB should be just about enough for you. This means no more than 2 hours of scrolling through social media each day, no more than an hour of streaming music, and leaving Netflix and other video streaming for when you’re on your home broadband connection.

If you think you do more than this, or you like to stream Netflix on your daily commute, you’ll most likely need a lot more than 5GB of data per month. Consider going for 10GB, or even 100GB. On the other hand, if you rarely use the internet on your phone, you could opt for a cheaper 2GB or even 1GB data plan.