Plan the shoot.
Size the storage.
Turn bitrate, recording time, photo count, and average file size into a practical card or drive capacity—with working room built in.
Use the Mbps number shown in your camera's recording-quality menu or manual.
What each size holds
Figures keep the same 10% working reserve used in the recommendation.
| Capacity | Approximate fit | Covers this plan? |
|---|---|---|
| 64GB | 38 min | No |
| 128GBRECOMMENDED | 1 hr 16 min | Yes |
| 256GB | 2 hr 33 min | Yes |
| 512GB | 5 hr 7 min | Yes |
| 1TB | 10 hr | Yes |
| 2TB | 20 hr | Yes |
Capacity is only half the decision.
The calculator estimates space. Your camera still determines the physical format and minimum sustained-write class.
Check your camera's card requirements →- 01Find the exact bitrate
Resolution alone is not enough. Two 4K modes can use very different data rates.
- 02Add working room
The recommendation includes a 10% reserve instead of planning to fill media completely.
- 03Verify card speed
Use the Camera Finder or manufacturer manual before buying media for a demanding mode.
Storage calculator FAQ
How is video storage calculated?
Bitrate × recording seconds ÷ 8 converts megabits to megabytes. Dividing by 1,000 estimates decimal gigabytes, then the calculator adds a 10% working reserve.
Why might the real file be a different size?
Variable bitrate, audio streams, metadata, camera implementation, and the scene itself can change the result. Treat this as a planning estimate and test the exact mode.
Does a larger card record faster?
Not automatically. Capacity, bus type, and sustained-write class are different specifications. A large card can still be too slow for a high-bitrate mode.