CCTV Storage Calculator

Estimate recording storage and compare it with the usable capacity of a proposed disk and RAID configuration.

Storage = cameras × bitrate × recording time × activity factor × overhead

Bitrate is usually more reliable than resolution alone. Use the camera or recorder's expected average bitrate where possible.

Important notes

• Actual retention varies with scene complexity, codec, frame rate, camera activity and recorder behaviour.
• RAID is not a backup and does not protect against recorder failure, accidental deletion or multiple disk failures beyond its tolerance.
• Allow additional capacity for metadata, database overhead, reserved disk space and future cameras.
• Confirm supported disk models, capacities and RAID layouts with the recorder manufacturer.

Read the related wiki guides to CCTV storage design, RAID levels, H.264 compression and H.265 compression.