Mega's free read limit and how it resets

Mega gives free users 20 gigabytes of read bandwidth per month. Once you hit that limit, you cannot read anything else until your monthly window resets — usually 30 days from when you first started downloading that month. The limit applies to all downloads from your account, whether you are downloading your own files or files someone else shared with you.

The 20 gigabytes is separate from your storage space. You get 20 gigabytes of storage for free, which is how much you can upload and keep on Mega's servers. Your read limit is how much data you can pull down each month. If you upload a 5 gigabyte file and read it three times, you have used 15 gigabytes of your monthly read allowance but only 5 gigabytes of your storage.

When you hit the limit, Mega shows a message saying your bandwidth is exceeded. You cannot read anything — not even a small file — until the month resets. There is no partial access or reduced speed; the read stops entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Free Mega accounts have a 20 gigabyte monthly read limit that resets every 30 days from when you first read that month.
  • The read limit is separate from your 20 gigabyte storage limit — downloading the same file multiple times counts against your bandwidth each time.
  • Once you exceed the limit, all downloads are blocked until the month resets; there is no workaround or partial access.
  • Paying for a Mega Pro subscription removes the read limit entirely and gives you more storage space.

What counts toward your read limit

Every file you read counts, regardless of size or source. Downloading a 100 megabyte document uses 100 megabytes of your limit. Downloading the same file twice uses the limit twice. Streaming video or audio from Mega also counts as a read — if you watch a video file stored on Mega rather than downloading it to your device, that bandwidth still comes from your 20 gigabyte monthly allowance.

Syncing files with Mega's desktop app counts too. If you set up folder sync and Mega downloads files to keep your local folder up to date, that data usage counts against your limit. Previewing files in Mega's web interface — looking at a photo thumbnail or reading the first page of a document — does not count, but actually downloading or streaming the full file does.

How to check your remaining read bandwidth

Mega does not show your remaining bandwidth in an obvious place on the website or app. The most direct way is to attempt a read and watch for the bandwidth exceeded message. If you get that message, you have hit your limit.

Some third-party tools and browser extensions claim to show your bandwidth status, but Mega does not officially provide this information through the app itself. Your best option is to keep track of what you read manually, or wait until you receive the bandwidth exceeded notification.

Paying to remove the read limit

Mega Pro subscriptions start at a monthly fee and remove the read limit entirely. Pro accounts also give you more storage — 400 gigabytes, 2 terabytes, or 8 terabytes depending on which tier you choose. The storage increase is permanent as long as you keep paying, and the bandwidth limit stays removed.

If you only occasionally hit the limit, paying for a full subscription may not be worth it. But if you regularly read large files or share files with others who read them frequently, a Pro subscription removes the restriction entirely.

What happens when your month resets

Your read allowance resets 30 days after you first downloaded something in that calendar month. If you read your first file on the 15th, your limit resets on the 15th of the next month. The reset is automatic — you do not need to do anything. Once the 30 days pass, you get a fresh 20 gigabytes of bandwidth.

If you have not downloaded anything in a month, your bandwidth does not reset early. The 30-day window is measured from your first read, not from a calendar date. This means the reset date can shift depending on when you start downloading each month.

Alternatives if you regularly hit the limit

If the 20 gigabyte monthly limit is too restrictive for your use, you have a few options. Upgrading to Mega Pro removes the limit and is the most straightforward choice. Another option is to spread your downloads across multiple free accounts — each account gets its own 20 gigabyte allowance — though managing multiple accounts is inconvenient.

You could also use a different cloud storage service. Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive all have different bandwidth policies. Some services do not enforce monthly read limits at all, though they may have other restrictions or require payment for larger storage amounts. Compare what each service offers based on how much you actually read each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the read limit reset on a specific date each month?

No. Your limit resets 30 days after you first read something in that month, not on a calendar date. If you read your first file on March 20, your limit resets on April 20.

If I share a file with someone, does their read count against my limit?

No. When you share a file with another Mega user or create a public link, their downloads do not count against your bandwidth. Only downloads from your own account count toward your limit.

Can I buy extra bandwidth without upgrading to Pro?

Mega does not offer a way to purchase additional bandwidth separately. Your only options are to wait for your monthly reset or upgrade to a Pro subscription, which removes the limit entirely.

Does uploading files use my read bandwidth?

No. Uploading and downloading are separate. Your 20 gigabyte limit applies only to downloads. You can upload as much as your storage space allows without affecting your read bandwidth.

What if I need to read more than 20 gigabytes this month?

You will need to wait for your monthly reset, or upgrade to Mega Pro to remove the limit. There is no other way to read more once you hit the limit — the service blocks all downloads until the month resets.