CCTV Storage Capacity Calculator

Plan CCTV storage for every site camera today. Adjust bitrate, codec, motion, and audio easily. Download reports and choose drives with confidence always here.

Inputs

Include future expansion cameras if planned.
H.265 often reduces storage vs H.264.
Higher resolution generally increases bitrate needs.
Typical construction security: 10–20 fps.
Use custom when your camera/VMS specifies Mbps.
Used only when preset is set to Custom.
Motion mode reduces storage when activity is low.
Use 24 for full-day coverage.
Used for motion-based recording only.
Audio can add small but steady bandwidth.
Common values: 32–128 kbps.
Covers container, timestamps, and VMS overhead.
Align with project security and compliance needs.
Used to estimate raw capacity to purchase.
Accounts for growth and safe utilization.
Disk vendors often use decimal TB.
Reset

Example Data Table

Sample planning scenarios commonly used on construction sites.
Scenario Cameras Resolution Codec Mode Retention Typical Outcome
Gate + perimeter 12 1080p H.265 Motion (20%) 30 days Lower storage; good for low-activity zones
High-activity materials yard 20 4MP H.265 Continuous 21 days Higher storage; improves incident review clarity
Critical lift monitoring 8 4K H.265 Scheduled (12h) 14 days Moderate storage; match shift coverage windows

Formula Used

The calculator estimates storage from recorded bitrate, recording time, and retention.
Core steps
  1. Per-camera bitrate (Mbps) is estimated from resolution, codec, fps, and quality (or entered as custom).
  2. Apply overhead: Effective Mbps = Per-camera Mbps × (1 + Overhead%).
  3. Apply recording factor: Continuous/Scheduled = Hours/24, Motion = (Hours/24) × (Motion%/100).
  4. Total recorded bitrate: Total Mbps = Effective Mbps × Cameras × Recording factor.
  5. Convert to bytes per day: Bytes/day = (Total Mbps × 1,000,000 ÷ 8) × 86,400.
  6. Total for retention: Bytes total = Bytes/day × Retention days.
  7. Add spare headroom, then adjust for redundancy to estimate raw capacity to purchase.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the camera count and choose resolution and codec.
  2. Set frame rate and a quality preset, or input a known bitrate.
  3. Select recording mode and define recording hours and motion activity.
  4. Enable audio if required, then add protocol overhead.
  5. Choose retention days and a redundancy plan for purchasing capacity.
  6. Click Calculate Storage and download CSV/PDF for procurement.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.