CCTV Storage Calculator
How to Use This CCTV Storage Calculator:
Using this CCTV Storage Calculator is easy. Just follow these simple steps to estimate how much storage your CCTV system needs:
Step 1: Enter the Number of Cameras
Type in how many CCTV cameras you plan to install. More cameras mean more footage, and more storage is needed.
Step 2: Select the Camera Resolution
Choose the resolution your cameras will record at, such as 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), 4MP, or 4K. Higher resolutions require more storage space.
Step 3: Enter Recording Hours per Day
Are your cameras recording 24/7 or only during certain hours? Enter the average number of hours your cameras record each day.
Step 4: Enter Number of Days for Storage
Decide how many days you want to keep the footage (e.g., 15 days, 30 days, or more). This helps calculate long-term storage needs.
Step 5: Click “Calculate Storage.”
Press the button, and the tool will instantly show you how much storage (in GB and TB) your CCTV system will need.
Optional Tip:
Want to save space? Use cameras with H.265 compression or enable motion detection recording to reduce total storage usage.
Estimated CCTV Storage Requirements (Per Camera)
| Resolution | Bitrate (Avg.) | Recording Hours/Day | Storage per Day | Storage for 15 Days | Storage for 30 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 720p (HD) | 1 Mbps | 24 hrs | ~10.8 GB | ~162 GB | ~324 GB |
| 1080p (Full HD) | 2 Mbps | 24 hrs | ~21.6 GB | ~324 GB | ~648 GB |
| 4MP | 4 Mbps | 24 hrs | ~43.2 GB | ~648 GB | ~1.3 TB |
| 4K (8MP) | 8 Mbps | 24 hrs | ~86.4 GB | ~1.3 TB | ~2.6 TB |
📌 Notes:
- These values are Per Camera, based on continuous 24/7 recording.
- Storage is reduced by ~40% if you use H.265 compression.
- Motion detection can also significantly reduce daily storage use.
💡 How to Use This Chart:
Multiply the storage by the number of cameras to get the total storage needed for your setup. You Can Also Use CCTV Storage Calculator.
Example:
For 4 Full HD cameras recording 24 hours a day for 30 days:648 GB × 4 = 2592 GB → ≈ 2.6 TB
FAQ Section: CCTV Storage Calculator
1. How much storage does 1 CCTV camera need for 30 days?
It depends on the camera resolution and how long it records each day. For example, a 1080p camera recording 24/7 may need around 500GB to 1TB of storage for 30 days.
2. Is 1TB enough for CCTV recording?
Yes, 1TB can be enough for 2 to 4 cameras recording in HD (720p or 1080p) for around 15–30 days, depending on bitrate and compression (H.264 or H.265).
3. How do I calculate CCTV storage manually?
You can calculate it using this formula:
Storage (in GB) = (Bitrate in Mbps × 3600 × Hours per Day × Days × Number of Cameras) ÷ 8 ÷ 1024
Or simply use our calculator above to do the math for you instantly.
4. Does resolution affect CCTV storage?
Yes, higher resolutions (such as 2MP, 4MP, or 4K) increase the file size, meaning you’ll need more storage space. Lower resolutions like D1 or 720p use less space.
5. What’s the difference between H.264 and H.265 in CCTV?
H.265 is a newer compression technology that saves about 40–50% more space than H.264 without losing quality. Choosing H.265 can help you store more days of footage on the same hard drive.
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