Video File Size Calculator
Calculate video file sizes based on resolution, bitrate, frame rate, and duration. Get accurate estimates for H.264, H.265, and other codecs.
Video Settings
Duration
Result
How Video File Size is Calculated
Basic Formula
File Size (MB) = (Video Bitrate × Duration) + (Audio Bitrate × Duration) + Container Overhead
Where bitrate is in Mbps/kbps and duration is in seconds
The calculator uses industry-standard bitrate recommendations based on your chosen resolution and frame rate. Different codecs provide different compression efficiency.
Recommended Bitrates by Resolution
| Resolution | H.264 (30fps) | H.264 (60fps) | H.265 (30fps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 7.5 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| 1440p | 16 Mbps | 24 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 4K | 35-45 Mbps | 53-68 Mbps | 20-25 Mbps |
| 8K | 100-150 Mbps | 150-200 Mbps | 60-90 Mbps |
Codec Comparison
- H.264 (AVC): Most widely compatible. Standard quality at baseline bitrate.
- H.265 (HEVC): 40-50% smaller files than H.264 at same quality. Requires more processing power.
- AV1: 50% smaller than H.264. Free and open-source but limited device support.
- VP9: Google's codec used by YouTube. Similar to H.265 in efficiency.
Common Video Scenarios
Social Media Story
1080p, 15 seconds, H.264
~15 MB
Gameplay Recording
1080p 60fps, 1 hour, H.264
~5.4 GB
Movie (1080p)
1080p 24fps, 2 hours, H.265
~3.6 GB
4K Content
4K 30fps, 10 minutes, H.265
~1.5 GB
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my actual file sizes differ from the calculator?
Actual file sizes can vary due to several factors: variable bitrate encoding (VBR vs CBR), scene complexity, compression settings, and container overhead. This calculator provides estimates based on average bitrates. Complex scenes with lots of motion will be larger, while static scenes will be smaller.
Should I use H.264 or H.265?
H.265 (HEVC) offers better compression (40-50% smaller files) but requires more processing power and may not play on older devices. Use H.264 for maximum compatibility, H.265 when storage is limited and you have modern hardware.
What bitrate should I use for recording?
Use the "Auto" mode for recommended bitrates. Higher bitrates preserve more detail but create larger files. For archival purposes, use higher bitrates. For web sharing, lower bitrates are usually sufficient.
How much storage do I need for video recording?
For 1080p 30fps recording: ~3.6 GB per hour (H.264). For 4K 30fps: ~15 GB per hour. Always have 2-3x more storage than calculated to account for variables and multiple takes.