Recording storage scales with bitrate, hours, retention, and the number of cameras. Enter the details below to size the total storage in terabytes. If you know resolution and codec but not bitrate, the NVR storage calculator derives it for you.
How to calculate CCTV storage
Multiply bitrate x 3600 x hours per day x days x cameras, then divide by 8 for megabytes and by 1000 for gigabytes. Recording on motion, lowering frame rate, and using H.265 all reduce the total. Add headroom for future cameras and RAID overhead.
Storage per camera, 30 days continuous
| Bitrate | Per camera, 30 days |
|---|---|
| 2 Mbps | ~0.65 TB |
| 4 Mbps | ~1.3 TB |
| 8 Mbps | ~2.6 TB |
| 16 Mbps | ~5.2 TB |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate CCTV storage?
Bitrate x 3600 x hours/day x days x cameras, divided by 8 for MB and by 1000 for GB. A 4 Mbps camera for 30 days is about 1.3 TB.
How much storage does a camera use?
A continuous 4 Mbps camera uses about 43 GB per day, roughly 1.3 TB per month. Higher resolution and busier scenes use more.
How can I reduce storage?
Record on motion, lower the frame rate, use H.265, and shorten retention. Motion-only often cuts storage by half or more.
What bitrate per camera?
About 2 to 4 Mbps for 1080p, 4 to 8 for 4 MP, 8+ for 8 MP with H.264. H.265 roughly halves these.
Should I add spare storage?
Yes. Add headroom for future cameras, longer retention, and RAID overhead, often 20 percent or more.
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