📹 Video File Size Calculator
Estimate storage needs for any video project - from 1080p to 8K
A single minute of 4K video can consume up to 1.5GB of storage depending on your codec and quality settings. For video creators, understanding file sizes is crucial for planning storage, estimating upload times, and choosing the right compression settings .
🎯 Use this calculator to estimate file sizes for any video project. Select your resolution, format, and duration to get accurate storage estimates for H.264, H.265/HEVC, ProRes, and even RAW formats.
⚙️ Video Settings
min
1.0x
Lower quality
Standard
Higher quality
📋 Storage Estimate
📁 Estimated File Size
1.2 GB
For 10 minutes at 1080p H.264
📹 H.264
Per Minute
123 MB
approx. per minute
Per Hour
7.2 GB
approx. per hour
10 Hours
72 GB
for a full project
📊 Storage Comparison by Format
Per Minute
Per Hour
Your Video
Comparison across common formats (H.264 = 1x)
💡 Storage Planning Tips
Backup Strategy
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 off-site backup for your video projects .
Proxy Workflow
Edit with proxy files (smaller H.264) and relink to original files for final export. Saves up to 80% storage during editing .
Archive Strategy
Archive raw footage to external drives or cloud storage. Keep only current projects on your main drive.
Compression Settings
For web delivery, H.265/HEVC offers 50% smaller files than H.264 with similar quality .
📋 Format Comparison
| Format | Typical Bitrate (1080p) | File Size/Hour | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 | 8 Mbps | 3.6 GB | Web, YouTube, delivery |
| H.265/HEVC | 4 Mbps | 1.8 GB | High quality at half size |
| ProRes 422 | 220 Mbps | 99 GB | Professional editing |
| ProRes HQ | 330 Mbps | 148 GB | High-end post-production |
| Cinema RAW | 1000 Mbps | 450 GB | Maximum quality, color grading |
📚 Understanding Video File Sizes
How File Size Is Calculated
File size = bitrate × duration. Bitrate is affected by resolution, frame rate, codec efficiency, and compression settings. Higher resolution and frame rates require higher bitrates to maintain quality .
Codec Efficiency Comparison
H.265/HEVC is approximately 50% more efficient than H.264, meaning half the file size for the same quality. ProRes is designed for editing with higher bitrates but better performance .
Resolution Impact
4K has 4× the pixels of 1080p, requiring significantly higher bitrates. A 4K video typically requires 4-5× the storage of 1080p at similar quality levels .
Frame Rate Impact
Higher frame rates (60fps vs 30fps) increase file size proportionally. 60fps video will be approximately twice the size of 30fps at the same bitrate per frame .
Cloud Storage Considerations
A typical 4K video project (100+ hours) can require 5-10TB of storage. Cloud backup costs vary from $0.02-$0.10 per GB/month, making storage planning essential for budget .
Delivery vs. Master Files
Always keep high-quality master files (ProRes or RAW) for future use, but deliver compressed H.264/H.265 to clients or platforms. Masters can be 10-50× larger than delivery files .
✨ Try These Examples
YouTube
10-min 1080p Video
H.264, 30fps, standard quality
4K Project
Short Film (15 min)
4K ProRes 422, 24fps
Cinema RAW
Feature Film Scene
8K RAW, 5 minutes, 60fps