Bandwidth Calculator
Estimate the total network bandwidth needed for a number of simultaneous users or devices on a connection.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Total bandwidth
- per-device Mbps × number of concurrent devices
- Headroom
- plan speed − total bandwidth
Worked example
Four devices each streaming HD video at 8 Mbps need 32 Mbps total; on a 50 Mbps plan that leaves 18 Mbps headroom for other use.
Assumptions
- Estimates peak concurrent usage, not average usage over time.
- Actual per-device rates vary by streaming quality and app.
- Does not separately account for upload-direction traffic such as video calls.
How this calculator works
Plan bandwidth requirements for a household or small office. Enter the per-device usage rate and number of concurrent devices to see the total throughput needed and whether a plan's speed will cope.
Frequently asked questions
What per-device rate should I use?
SD video streaming needs about 3 Mbps, HD about 5–8 Mbps, and 4K about 25 Mbps; video calls typically need 1.5–3 Mbps each way.
Should I plan for peak or average use?
Size for peak concurrent use (e.g. everyone streaming at once) rather than average, so the connection doesn't buffer during busy periods.
Does this include upload bandwidth?
No, this estimates download-direction throughput only; video calls and uploads should be checked separately against your plan's upload speed.