Video Recording Size Estimator – Estimate File Size by Codec & Resolution
Estimate video file sizes for any codec, resolution, and recording duration with our free video recording size estimator. Supports H.264, H.265 (HEVC), ProRes, and other major codecs across all resolutions from 720p to 8K. This video file size estimator helps filmmakers, content creators, and smartphone users accurately predict storage requirements before recording, enabling smarter storage management and shoot planning.
Video Recording Size Estimator
Estimate video size from resolution, FPS and codec
Video Recording Size Estimator Features
- Estimates video file size using resolution, frame rate, duration, and codec
- Supports codec presets: H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, ProRes, and Raw/Uncompressed
- Accounts for codec efficiency differences to provide realistic file size estimates
- Displays estimated file size in both MB and GB for convenience
- Useful for planning storage before filming with specific codec and quality settings
- Helps content creators choose the right codec balance between quality and file size
How to Use Video Recording Size Estimator
- Enter the video width in pixels (e.g., 3840) in the “Width” field
- Enter the video height in pixels (e.g., 2160) in the “Height” field
- Enter the frame rate in fps (e.g., 30) in the “Frame Rate” field
- Enter the recording duration in minutes (e.g., 10) in the “Duration” field
- Select the codec from the dropdown (e.g., H.265/HEVC for efficient compression)
- Click the Calculate button
- View the estimated file size in MB and GB in the results section
- Click Reset to estimate for a different configuration
Frequently Asked Questions
File Size (GB) = (Bitrate Mbps × Duration seconds) ÷ 8 ÷ 1024. Different codecs achieve different bitrates at similar quality. Our video size estimator includes preset bitrates for H.264, H.265, and ProRes at each resolution.
H.265 achieves similar quality at approximately 40–50% lower bitrate than H.264. A 10GB H.264 video could be encoded at similar quality to 5–6GB in H.265, saving significant storage space.
ProRes files are enormous by design — prioritizing editing quality over storage efficiency. ProRes 4K 30fps ≈ 5–10GB per minute. ProRes RAW 4K can reach 20–30GB per minute, requiring fast external SSD storage.
For general use, H.265/HEVC offers the best balance of quality and storage efficiency. For professional editing workflows, ProRes (available on iPhone Pro) provides maximum quality and editing flexibility.
Yes. H.264 has near-universal compatibility. H.265 requires decoding support from the device (most modern phones and computers support it). ProRes requires specific software for editing and playback.
Higher frame rates capture more images per second, requiring higher bitrates to maintain quality. 60fps files are approximately 2× larger than 30fps files at the same resolution and quality settings.
HDR video typically uses 10-bit color depth vs 8-bit for SDR, requiring higher bitrates (20–40% more) to preserve the wider dynamic range and color gamut information effectively.
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