How much data does Teams use?
The quick answer to this question is, "It depends what you're doing."
Teams has many uses. It's a messaging app; it's your calendar; it's for audio calls; it's for video calls; and it's for meetings and events. Every one of these functions use data, but some of them use a LOT of data. This is particularly the case when you're in a larger meeting and everyone is sharing their video.
Microsoft provide information about how Teams uses data in very general ways and then only in the amount of data "bits" sent each second.
What this doesn't show is how these "bits" relate to the data provided by a mobile carrier. To help clarify this, we've done some calculations for you. The table below lists many uses of Teams. In the final column we've provided the time it will take that function to use 1GB of your mobile data allowance.
The results are quite stark.
Type of use |
Data bits per second* |
Time 1 GB is used |
| One-to-one audio calling | 30 kbps | 72h 21m |
| One-to-one audio calling and screen sharing | 130 kbps | 16h 42m |
| One-to-one quality video calling 360p at 30fps | 500 kbps | 4h 20m |
| One-to-one HD quality video calling with resolution of HD 720p at 30fps | 1,200 kbps | 1h 46m |
| One-to-one HD quality video calling with resolution of HD 1080p at 30fps | 1,500 kbps | 1h 25m |
| Group Video calling with 4 participants | 500 kbps x 4 | 1h 05m |
| HD Group video calling with 4 participants | 1,000 kbps x 4 | 32m |
* Source: Microsoft Docs
For larger meetings, Teams automatically limits each video feed to 500 kbps. So for a video meeting with 9 participants, the data usage would be 4,500 kbps. 1 GB would be consumed in a little over 7 minutes. To put it another way a one hour meeting with 9 participants would use around 8.6 GB of mobile data.
How can I save mobile data?
- Use Wi-Fi and find a spot where you've got a good Wi-Fi signal. Fixed broadband services don't carry the same data limits and charges as mobile data.
- Turn off incoming video. While in a Teams call or meeting, you can turn off incoming video through the More Actions (...) menu. This won't affect others seeing your video, nor will it interfere with someone sharing their screen with you.
- If you are in a meeting where someone is sharing their screen, ask everyone to turn off their cameras for that part of the meeting.