How much data does War Thunder use?

how much data does war thunder use


In War Thunder, up to 32 players can compete on the same game map. This online multiplayer mode – along with the always-online single player mode – both use internet data, so if you play War Thunder on a capped internet connection, you may need to keep an eye on your data use.

How much data does it take to download, update, and play War Thunder on platforms like Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Playstation 4, and Xbox One? Let’s take a closer look.


War Thunder download size

The initial game download uses more data than playing or updating the game. Here’s how much space War Thunder takes up on each compatible computer or console:

Platform File size
Microsoft Windows <12 GB
Mac OS <12 GB
Playstation 4 8 GB
Xbox One 31 GB

File size and download size are different. File size is how much hard drive space a game takes up, while download size is the amount of online data your internet connection uses up adding the game to your computer or console. Developers typically compress game files with archive formats like “.zip” or “.rar,” which reduces download size by at least 50% compared to file size.

Keep in mind that the file and download size of the game increases every time Gaijin Entertainment releases a new update.

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War Thunder update size

War Thunder hotfixes can be as small as 35 MB, although some are definitely larger. See the War Thunder Changelog for information about recent updates. If you’re worried that a large game update could push you over a data cap, turn off auto-updates in your game or console settings and only download updates and patches when you’re sure you have enough data.


War Thunder data use

War Thunder uses an average of 60 Kbps of data, which is equal to about 30 MB of data per hour. Real data use varies based on the number of players in your game, whether or not you use voice chat, the tick rate of the game server, and your client update rate.

  • The more players in a game, the more data – like location, movement, and stats – your local network shares with other players. If you’re playing War Thunder with two teams of 32 players, you’ll use more data than if you’re playing a single-player mode, for example.
  • Voice chat uses up to an additional 60 MB of data per hour, so you’ll use much more data if you enable voice chat. Here’s how to turn War Thunder voice chat on and off.
  • Most game servers have a tick rate of either 64 or 128 Hz. A 64 tick server refreshes the game 64 times a second, or approximately once every 15 milliseconds. A 128 tick server syncs with clients 128 times a second or once every 8 milliseconds. It also uses about twice as much data. To save data, choose community servers with lower tick rates.
  • The client update rate is how many times per second your computer can process updates from the game server. The update rate of your game will be either your server tick rate or client update rate, whichever is lower. Limit your client update rate in the settings to reduce online data use when you’re playing on a game server with a high tick rate.
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Get more data with fixed wireless internet

The easiest way to play War Thunder while staying under a data limit is to get fixed 4G LTE or 5G with a high data cap. This home Wi-Fi connection is great for gamers in rural areas who don’t have access to wired internet connections like cable or fiber.

Give EvdodepotUSA a call at 866-439-6630 to find out more about fast fixed wireless options for rural gamers.