Enter users and expected activity.
Speed & transfer
Bandwidth Calculator
Estimate the capacity you need when several people or devices are online together.
What is a bandwidth calculator?
Bandwidth is the capacity of your connection. This calculator multiplies the number of active users or devices by the speed each needs and adds headroom, so you can choose a plan that copes with peak demand rather than an average evening.
The formula
Required bandwidth = users × Mbps per user × (1 + margin). A 25% margin is a sensible default because real traffic is bursty and background updates appear without warning.
Example
Four people each needing about 10 Mbps need 40 Mbps of base demand. With a 25% margin the recommendation is 50 Mbps.
How to pick “Mbps each”
Use roughly 3–5 Mbps for HD video, 15–25 Mbps for 4K, 2–4 Mbps for video calls and 3–6 Mbps for online gaming. If people do several things at once, add them together for that person.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Bandwidth Calculator
How much bandwidth do I need for a family of four?
Many households are comfortable with 100–200 Mbps. Use this calculator with your own activities to check.
What is the difference between bandwidth and speed?
Bandwidth is the capacity of the connection; speed is how fast data actually moves across it right now. People often use the two words interchangeably.
Why add a safety margin?
Traffic comes in bursts – updates, cloud syncs and extra devices – so a margin stops normal spikes from saturating the connection.
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Use this toolResults are estimates for planning. Last reviewed 20 September 2026.