> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.nodemaven.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How is traffic usage calculated?

> Traffic is the total data passing through the proxy, in both directions.

Traffic is measured as the **total data that passes through the proxy** - everything you send, and everything you receive.

## What counts

| **Counts towards your traffic** | **Example** |
| - | - |
| Data you download | Page content, images, video, files |
| Data you upload | Form submissions, file uploads, requests |

Both directions are measured. A page that loads 2 MB and sends 50 KB back uses 2.05 MB.

## An example

On a 5 GB plan, you can move 5 GB through the proxy in total. Loading a 3 MB page a thousand times uses roughly 3 GB, whether you load it from one IP or a thousand.

**Rotating does not cost extra.** Changing IP does not consume traffic by itself. Only the data you move does.

## Where to see your usage

Your **Dashboard** shows traffic used and traffic remaining for the current cycle.

For a breakdown over time, see [Proxy usage statistics](/residential-mobile/usage-statistics).

## If your traffic is disappearing faster than expected

Video, images and background requests use far more data than text. Anti-detect browsers and automation tools can also keep making requests after you think they have stopped.

See [I think my traffic is burning faster than it should](/troubleshooting/traffic-burning-fast).


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