Storage calculator
CCTV storage calculator
How many terabytes your recorder or NAS needs to keep your camera footage for as long as you need, and which drives to fit.
Recording space depends on the number of cameras, resolution, compression, frame rate, quality, scene motion and the hours and days recorded. This calculator estimates each camera group’s bitrate, the space per day and in total, and proposes drives based on the recorder’s bays and RAID protection.
CCTV storage calculator
Work out how many terabytes your recorder needs from the cameras, quality and days of recording. Results update as you change any value.
- Recording bandwidth
- Space per day
- Total space
- Drive capacity needed
Recommendation:
Indicative estimate. Actual space depends on the scene, night lighting and each camera’s settings. Capacity needed includes 10 % for formatting and file system.
How it is calculated
It starts from a reference bitrate per resolution in H.264 at 25 frames per second, medium quality and normal motion, adjusted by the factors in the table. If you know your cameras’ actual bitrate, enter it and it replaces the estimate.
Each Mbps recorded continuously takes 10.8 GB a day. Total capacity adds 10 % for formatting and the file system.
| Resolution | Mbps |
|---|---|
| 720p (1 MP) | 2 |
| 1080p (2 MP) | 4 |
| 3 MP | 5 |
| 4 MP | 6 |
| 5 MP | 8 |
| 4K (8 MP) | 12 |
| 12 MP | 16 |
| Parameter | Option | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | MJPEG | × 6 |
| Compression | H.264 | × 1 |
| Compression | H.265 | × 0.55 |
| Compression | H.265+ / smart | × 0.3 |
| Quality | Low | × 0.6 |
| Quality | Medium | × 1 |
| Quality | High | × 1.6 |
| Motion | Low | × 0.6 |
| Motion | Medium | × 1 |
| Motion | High | × 1.5 |
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I record?
Sizing for 30 days is usual. In Spain, data protection rules generally require footage to be deleted within one month, except footage proving an incident.
Why does my recorder use more or less than calculated?
Bitrate changes with the scene: rain, moving trees or night-time noise increase size; a still scene reduces it. Check the real bitrate after installation and leave a margin.
Which drive protection should I choose?
Without RAID you use all the capacity, but if a drive fails its footage is lost. Mirror or RAID 5 and 6 give up some capacity so recording continues if a drive fails.
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