How much data does Valorant use?

Valorant revolves around 5v5 gameplay, so it uses more internet data than other online games with fewer players. If you play Valorant on a limited connection like fixed wireless internet or a mobile hotspot, you may need to keep an eye on how much data you use.

Let’s take a closer look at how much data it takes to download, update, and play Valorant on Microsoft Windows. Of course, the easiest way to stay below your monthly data cap while you’re playing online games like Valorant is to increase your data limit.

Valorant game download size

The Valorant game download uses more data than updating or playing the game does – but keep in mind that file size is larger than download size (which is usually compressed). The game’s download and file sizes will increase over time as Riot Games releases updates.

Image by Riot Games

Valorant update size

The Valorant 1.0 Patch is about 180 MB. For information about other patches, see Valorant news. If you’re worried a routine update could push you over your monthly data limit, turn off auto-updates in your game settings and only download patches when you have extra data.

Valorant data use

Valorant uses up to 250 MB of data per hour or about 200 MB of data per average length game. Data use fluctuates based on whether or not you use voice chat, the number of players left in the game, the tick rate of the game server, and your client update rate.

• If you turn off voice chat, you’ll use less data playing Valorant. Voice chat uses up to 60 MB of data per hour of chat, so you’ll use much less data without it.
• The more players in a game, the more data – like location. movement, and stats – your local network shares with other players. If fewer players are alive, you’ll use less data.
• The tick rate of the game server affects your data use. Valorant’s official servers are 128 tick, which means the game refreshes 128 times every second. These servers use about twice as much data as 64 tick servers, which refresh the game 64 times every second. While official game servers all use the same tick rate, the tick rate on community servers varies.
• Client update rate is how many times per second your computer processes updates from the server, independent of tick rate. The actual update rate of your game will be whichever is lower: your server tick rate or client update rate. To reduce online data use, even when your game server has a high tick rate, you can limit the client update rate in your settings.

Image by Riot Games

Upgrade to an unlimited data plan

With a generous fixed wireless internet plan, you can spend hours and hours playing Valorant – even if you’re located in a rural area that doesn’t have access to cable internet. To find out more about wireless internet options for rural gamers start a chat or give us a call at 866-439-6630.