How is video storage size calculated?

Storage = (video bitrate + audio bitrate) × duration in seconds ÷ 8. Bitrate is in bits per second; dividing by 8 converts bits to bytes. The codec preset adjusts the typical bitrate for that resolution and compression level.

Why does codec choice matter so much?

Codecs differ greatly in efficiency. H.265/HEVC uses roughly half the storage of H.264 at the same quality. AV1 is even more efficient. Older codecs like MJPEG use far more space. The presets here reflect real-world typical bitrates.

Are these estimates exact?

No — actual file sizes depend on scene complexity, encoder settings, and container overhead. The estimates use typical constant-bitrate values for each preset. Add 10–20% buffer when planning physical storage.

What about audio storage?

The calculator adds a standard stereo AAC track at 192 kbps. For muted recordings (e.g. security cameras) you can set audio to 0 in the advanced options.

How do I use this for security cameras?

Set duration to 24 hours, choose your resolution and codec (most IP cameras use H.264 or H.265), enter the number of cameras, and multiply the daily total by your retention days to get total NVR storage.

Video Storage Calculator

Name: Video Storage Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Estimate how much storage your video recordings need — choose resolution, codec, duration, and number of cameras to get per-clip and total storage in GB or TB.

Video Settings

Resolution

Codec

Frame Rate (fps)

Estimated bitrate: 8 Mbps

Duration & Cameras

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Number of cameras / streams

Recording days (for total)

Audio bitrate (kbps, 0 = muted)

Storage Estimate

Per Clip

—

Per Day (all cams)

—

Total

—

How many days fit on a drive?

Drive capacity

Days of footage

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Codec Comparison — same resolution & duration

Codec	Per Clip	vs H.264
Enter values to compare

Summary

Estimate how much storage your video recordings need — choose resolution, codec, duration, and number of cameras to get per-clip and total storage in GB or TB.

How it works

Select a resolution preset or enter a custom bitrate.
Choose a codec — each codec has a different compression efficiency.
Set the frame rate and video duration.
Enter the number of cameras or recording streams.
The calculator shows storage per clip, per day, and total.

Use cases

Planning NVR/DVR storage for a security camera system.
Estimating disk space before a multi-day film shoot.
Calculating SD card or SSD needs for drone or action cameras.
Budgeting cloud or NAS storage for continuous recording setups.
Comparing storage impact of different codecs and resolutions.
Figuring out how many days of footage fit on a given drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed by Nham Vu