YouTube Video Size Calculator
Calculate exact file sizes for your YouTube videos. Plan storage needs, estimate upload times, and optimize your workflow.
Standard Full HD
File Size
614.4 MB
Video + Audio
Upload Time
2m 27s
@ 50 Mbps internet
How Many Videos Can You Store?
128GB Phone
192
videos
512GB SSD
768
videos
2TB HDD
3072
videos
8TB External
12288
videos
File Size Optimization Tips:
- •Use H.265 codec to reduce file size by 40-50% compared to H.264
- •Lower framerate from 60fps to 30fps can halve the file size
- •2-pass encoding provides better quality at the same file size
- •YouTube re-encodes all videos, so don't upload uncompressed files
Optimize Your Video Storage Workflow
Free guide: "The Creator's Guide to Video Storage - Save Space & Time Without Losing Quality"
Storage Strategies
Archive vs working files
Backup Plans
3-2-1 backup rule
Cloud vs Local
Cost-effective solutions
Understanding Video File Sizes
File Size Formula
- • Bitrate in Mbps (Megabits per second)
- • Duration in minutes
- • ÷ 8 converts bits to bytes
- • ÷ 1024 converts MB to GB
Key Factors
- • Bitrate: Primary determinant of file size
- • Duration: Linear relationship with size
- • Codec: H.265 is 40-50% smaller than H.264
- • Audio: Adds 10-50 MB per hour typically
- • Color Depth: 10-bit adds ~20% to size
Typical File Sizes by Quality
| Quality | 10 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 1 Hour | 2 Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 720p 30fps (5 Mbps) | 375 MB | 1.1 GB | 2.25 GB | 4.5 GB |
| 1080p 30fps (8 Mbps) | 600 MB | 1.8 GB | 3.6 GB | 7.2 GB |
| 1080p 60fps (12 Mbps) | 900 MB | 2.7 GB | 5.4 GB | 10.8 GB |
| 4K 30fps (45 Mbps) | 3.4 GB | 10.1 GB | 20.3 GB | 40.5 GB |
Storage Planning Guide
For Content Creators
- • Keep 3-5x final size for raw footage
- • Archive projects: 50-100 GB per video
- • Use external drives for long-term storage
- • Consider cloud backup for finals only
- • Delete proxy files after editing
Upload Optimization
- • Compress to H.264/H.265 before upload
- • Upload during off-peak hours
- • Use wired connection for stability
- • Enable YouTube's resumable uploads
- • Keep source files until processing complete
Codec Comparison
H.264 (AVC)
Standard codec, universal compatibility, moderate file sizes
H.265 (HEVC)
40-50% smaller than H.264, great for 4K, limited support
VP9
YouTube's preferred codec, efficient compression, free
AV1
Next-gen codec, 30% better than H.265, limited encoder support
Upload Time Estimates
Based on 80% efficiency (real-world conditions):
Related YouTube Converters
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate video file size?
Video file size = (Bitrate × Duration × 60) ÷ 8 ÷ 1024 (for GB). For example, a 10-minute video at 10 Mbps = (10 × 10 × 60) ÷ 8 ÷ 1024 = 0.73 GB. Our calculator handles all conversions automatically.
What affects video file size the most?
Bitrate has the biggest impact on file size, followed by video length. Resolution and framerate indirectly affect size by requiring higher bitrates. Codec efficiency also matters - H.265 produces 40-50% smaller files than H.264 at the same quality.
How much space does 1 hour of video take?
It varies greatly: 1080p 30fps at YouTube recommended settings (8 Mbps) = ~3.6 GB per hour. 4K 60fps (60 Mbps) = ~27 GB per hour. Lower quality 720p (5 Mbps) = ~2.25 GB per hour.
Why is my rendered video file so large?
Common causes: Using uncompressed or lightly compressed codecs (ProRes, DNxHD), excessive bitrate settings, inefficient codec choice, or rendering at higher resolution than necessary. Use H.264/H.265 with appropriate bitrate for smaller files.
How long does it take to upload large videos to YouTube?
Upload time depends on your internet speed: 1 GB file on 10 Mbps connection = ~15 minutes. 10 GB file on 100 Mbps = ~15 minutes. YouTube processes videos after upload, which can take additional time based on length and resolution.
Optimize Your Video Workflow
Access all our free tools designed to help YouTube creators succeed