Download Time Calculator and Home Bandwidth Sizer
Estimate exact download and upload durations for large files and size household bandwidth requirements for concurrent 4K streaming and remote work.
How much internet speed your household needs, by usage
The tool adds up the bandwidth of each simultaneous use (25 Mbps per 4K stream, 5 Mbps per HD stream, 40 Mbps per cloud gaming session…), adds a 35% margin and keeps at least 20 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up. With the default settings it recommends 146 Mbps down and 30 Mbps up.
Bandwidth assumed per use
| Use | Down | Up |
|---|---|---|
| 4K video stream | 25 Mbps | 0.5 |
| HD 1080p stream | 5 | 0.2 |
| HD video call | 4 | 4 |
| Cloud gaming | 40 | 5 |
| Web, music | 2 | 0.5 |
| Connected camera | 0.5 | 3.5 |
Recommended speed = sum × 1.35, rounded up to the next Mbps, with a floor of 20 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up. Wi-Fi 6 is suggested, Wi-Fi 6E or 7 above 400 Mbps or as soon as there is cloud gaming, and a mesh system above 80 m² or across several floors.
Example (default values)
2 4K streams, 1 HD stream, 2 video calls, 1 gamer, 2 browsers, 2 cameras: 108 Mbps raw down and 22.2 up, so 146 and 30 Mbps recommended. A 50 GB game downloads in 50 × 8 × 1,024 / 146 = 46.8 minutes, and in 7.6 minutes on 1 Gbps fibre counted as 900 Mbps actual. The calculation uses 1 GB = 8,192 Mb; with 1 GB = 8,000 Mb it would be 45.7 minutes.
Limits
Per-use figures are cautious benchmarks: 4K at 25 Mbps is above current platform recommendations. Real Wi-Fi throughput is well below the standard’s theoretical rate and drops with distance and walls. The download time assumes the server keeps up with your connection.
Sources and dates: Netflix: 5 Mbps for 1080p, 15 Mbps for 4K; YouTube: 5 Mbps for 1080p, 20 Mbps for 4K; Zoom: 3.0 Mbps down and 3.8 up for 1080p video; NVIDIA GeForce NOW: 25 Mbps for 1080p at 60 fps, 45 Mbps for 4K at 120 fps. Pages consulted on 14/10/2026. (checked 14/10/2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
What speed do I need to watch Netflix in 4K?
Netflix recommends at least 15 Mbps per screen for 4K and YouTube 20 Mbps. The tool counts 25 Mbps per 4K stream, a cautious value, so two 4K screens at once take 50 Mbps before the 35% margin.
How long does it take to download 50 GB?
Time in seconds = GB × 8 × 1,024 / speed in Mbps. At 146 Mbps, 50 GB takes 46.8 minutes; on 1 Gbps fibre (900 Mbps actual), 7.6 minutes.
Why does upload speed matter so much?
Video calls (4 Mbps up each in the tool) and cameras recording to the cloud (3.5 Mbps) upload continuously. Two calls and two cameras are enough to exceed 20 Mbps up once the margin is added.
When do I need a mesh Wi-Fi system?
The tool suggests one above 80 m² or as soon as the home has several floors. Walls and floors weaken the signal, especially on 5 and 6 GHz.
Is this tool really free?
Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.
Is my data protected?
Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.