Storage Calculator
Calculate how many photos, videos, songs, or documents fit on your storage device. Plan your memory card, hard drive, or SSD capacity needs.
Storage Device
File Type & Size
Results
Storage Breakdown
Common Storage Scenarios
Wedding Photography
1,000 RAW photos (30 MB each)
~32 GB needed
Video Project
2 hours 4K footage (1.5 GB/min)
~180 GB needed
Music Library
5,000 MP3 songs (4 MB each)
~20 GB needed
Phone Backup
3,000 photos + 50 videos
~45 GB needed
Storage Planning Guide
Understanding Storage Capacity
Advertised storage capacity differs from actual usable space due to:
- Decimal vs Binary: Manufacturers use decimal (1 GB = 1,000 MB) while operating systems use binary (1 GB = 1,024 MB). A "64 GB" card shows as ~59.6 GB in your device.
- File System Overhead: Formatting takes 1-3% of capacity for file system structures.
- Hidden Files: System files, thumbnails, and metadata consume additional space.
Storage Device Recommendations
| Use Case | Recommended Size | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Casual Photography | 32-64 GB SD | ~1,000-2,000 JPEG photos |
| Professional Photo | 128-256 GB SD | RAW files need more space |
| 4K Video Recording | 256 GB+ SD | 1.5 GB per minute of footage |
| Music Collection | 128-256 GB | 10,000-20,000 MP3 songs |
| Video Editing | 2-4 TB SSD/HDD | Large project files and renders |
| Backup Drive | 2x your data | Room for growth and redundancy |
Storage Tips
- Never fill to 100%: Keep 10-20% free space for optimal performance and file system health.
- Plan for growth: Buy 50% more capacity than your current needs to accommodate future files.
- Multiple cards for events: Use several smaller cards instead of one large card to reduce data loss risk.
- Speed matters: For 4K video, use UHS-II or V60+ rated cards to avoid dropped frames.
- Backup strategy: Follow 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 offsite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my storage device show less space than advertised?
Manufacturers use decimal (1 GB = 1,000 MB) while computers use binary (1 GB = 1,024 MB). A "64 GB" card is actually 64,000 MB, which equals ~59.6 GiB (gibibytes) in your OS. Additionally, 1-3% is used for the file system.
How much storage do I need for photography?
Casual JPEG: 32-64 GB for 1,000-2,000 photos. RAW photography: 128-256 GB for professional shoots. For events like weddings, bring multiple 64-128 GB cards instead of one large card to minimize risk.
Can I mix different file types on one drive?
Yes! Use this calculator's "Required Storage" mode to add multiple file types and get the total capacity needed. For example, mix photos, videos, and music on the same drive.
Should I buy the largest card available?
Not always. Multiple smaller cards reduce risk (if one fails, you don't lose everything) and can be more cost-effective. However, large cards (256 GB+) are convenient for long trips or high-volume shooting.