Video Storage & File Size Calculator
Estimate file sizes for any combination of codec, resolution, frame rate, and duration. Includes 25 codec presets across ProRes, DNxHR, H.264/H.265, and more — plus workflow presets for common production scenarios.
Storage Requirements
That is approximately 1 x 128 GB SD card or 1 x 256 GB card.
Common Workflow Presets
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage does one hour of 4K video require?
It varies dramatically by codec: ProRes 422 HQ at 4K/24fps uses about 112 GB/hr, ProRes 4444 uses about 200 GB/hr, DNxHR HQX uses about 110 GB/hr, H.264 at high quality uses about 20-45 GB/hr, and H.265 at high quality uses about 10-25 GB/hr. Our calculator gives precise estimates for any combination.
What is the difference between ProRes and DNxHR?
Both are high-quality intermediate codecs designed for editing. ProRes is Apple's format (best supported in Final Cut Pro, widely supported elsewhere). DNxHR is Avid's format (native in Media Composer, widely supported). Quality and file sizes are comparable at equivalent tiers. ProRes is more common on macOS; DNxHR is more common on Windows.
Which codec should I use for archival footage scanning?
For archival scanning, use a lossless or near-lossless codec: ProRes 4444 XQ or DPX for film scans requiring color grading, ProRes 422 HQ or DNxHR HQX for general high-quality preservation, and TIFF sequences for frame-by-frame archival. Avoid H.264/H.265 for master archives as they discard detail.
How do I estimate storage for an entire documentary project?
Multiply your expected shooting/scanning ratio by your per-hour storage estimate. A typical documentary shoots 30-50 hours for a 90-minute film. Add 2-3× for editing proxies, renders, and exports. For archival projects with 4K scans, plan for 2-5 TB of raw scans alone. Use our calculator to estimate each format separately.
What is a codec bitrate and why does it matter?
Bitrate is the amount of data used per second of video, measured in Mbps (megabits per second). Higher bitrate means more data per frame, which preserves more detail but creates larger files. A 100 Mbps codec uses 12.5 MB per second, or 45 GB per hour. Bitrate is the single biggest factor in file size.
Should I use variable bitrate (VBR) or constant bitrate (CBR)?
VBR allocates more data to complex scenes and less to simple ones, resulting in better quality at a given average file size. CBR uses the same bitrate throughout, which is more predictable for storage planning and required by some broadcast specs. Use VBR for final delivery and web; CBR for broadcast and streaming ingest.
How much smaller is H.265 compared to H.264?
H.265 (HEVC) typically achieves 30-50% smaller file sizes than H.264 at equivalent visual quality. A 1-hour 4K file that is 40 GB in H.264 would be approximately 20-28 GB in H.265. The tradeoff is significantly longer encoding time — H.265 can take 2-5× longer to encode.
What storage format should I use for video production?
Use RAID arrays (RAID 5 or 6) or enterprise SSDs for active editing projects requiring fast random access. Use LTO tape or cloud cold storage (like AWS Glacier) for long-term archival. Format drives as exFAT for cross-platform compatibility, APFS for Mac-only, or NTFS for Windows-only workflows.
How much storage do I need for proxy editing?
Proxy files are typically 5-10% the size of the original media. Common proxy specs: ProRes Proxy at 1080p (~6 GB/hr), H.264 at 720p (~3-5 GB/hr), or DNxHR LB at 1080p (~5 GB/hr). For a 50-hour archival project at 4K, proxies would use about 150-300 GB vs 3-5 TB for full-resolution media.
Does frame rate affect file size?
Yes, linearly. Doubling the frame rate roughly doubles the file size at the same codec and resolution. 60fps footage is approximately 2.5× larger than 24fps footage. For archival footage scanned at 16 or 18fps, files will be about 30% smaller than the same content scanned at 24fps.