Video Size Calculator

Our calculator provides highly accurate estimates with typically 95%+ accuracy based on standard video encoding formulas using H.264/H.265 codecs. Actual file sizes may vary slightly (±5-10%) depending on the specific codec, encoding settings, video complexity, and compression efficiency. For container formats like MP4, MOV, or AVI, the estimates include typical overhead calculations.

Video file size is primarily determined by four key factors: 1) Resolution (width × height in pixels) - 4K videos are ~4x larger than 1080p; 2) Bitrate (data rate in Mbps) - directly proportional to quality and size; 3) Duration - linear relationship with file size; 4) Frame rate - 60fps doubles size compared to 30fps. Video complexity, motion, and scene changes also affect compression efficiency.

Yes, you can calculate audio file sizes by setting the video resolution to minimum (like 1×1 pixels) and focusing on audio bitrate settings. For pure audio calculations: CD quality uses 1411 kbps, MP3 high quality uses 320 kbps, standard quality uses 128-192 kbps, and podcast quality uses 64-96 kbps.

Bitrate selection depends on your target platform and quality needs: YouTube recommends 8-12 Mbps for 1080p, 35-45 Mbps for 4K; Instagram Feed works best with 3-5 Mbps; TikTok and Instagram Stories need 4-6 Mbps; Facebook uses 4-8 Mbps; Twitch streaming requires 3-6 Mbps for 1080p. Higher bitrates provide better quality but larger files and slower uploads.

Frame rate significantly affects both file size and visual quality. Higher frame rates create smoother motion but increase file size proportionally: 60fps files are approximately 2x larger than 30fps; 120fps files are 4x larger than 30fps. Use 24fps for cinematic content, 30fps for standard web videos, 60fps for gaming and sports content, and 120fps+ for slow-motion footage.

H.265 (HEVC) provides approximately 50% better compression efficiency than H.264, meaning 50% smaller file sizes for the same quality level. However, H.264 has broader device compatibility. Our calculator uses H.264 standards by default. For H.265, multiply the calculated size by 0.5 to estimate the compressed file size.

Use our calculator to estimate individual video sizes, then multiply by your expected video count. Consider these storage planning factors: 1080p videos average 500MB-1GB per 10 minutes; 4K videos need 2-4GB per 10 minutes; Add 20% buffer for metadata and thumbnails; Plan for multiple quality versions (original + compressed); Consider backup storage needs (typically 2-3x primary storage).

Streaming bandwidth should be 1.5-2x your video bitrate for smooth delivery. For example: 1080p at 5 Mbps needs 7.5-10 Mbps upload bandwidth; 4K at 20 Mbps requires 30-40 Mbps bandwidth. Consider viewer bandwidth too: most users have 10-50 Mbps download speeds, so optimize accordingly. Use adaptive bitrate streaming for best user experience.

Compression creates a quality-size tradeoff: Light compression (90% quality) reduces size by 10% with minimal quality loss; Medium compression (70% quality) achieves 30% size reduction with noticeable but acceptable quality loss; Heavy compression (50% quality) cuts size by 50% but significantly impacts visual quality. The optimal balance depends on your use case and bandwidth constraints.

Each platform has optimal specifications: YouTube - 1920×1080 at 8-12 Mbps, H.264 codec, 30fps; Instagram Feed - 1080×1080 square format, 3-5 Mbps; Instagram Stories/IGTV - 1080×1920 vertical, 4-5 Mbps; TikTok - 1080×1920, 4-6 Mbps, 30fps; Facebook - 1280×720 or 1920×1080, 4-8 Mbps; Twitter - 1280×720, 5-10 Mbps maximum; LinkedIn - 1920×1080, up to 5GB file size.

Mobile optimization requires balancing quality with data usage and device capabilities: Use 720p-1080p resolution (4K often unnecessary on mobile screens); Target 2-5 Mbps bitrate to balance quality and data usage; Prefer 30fps over 60fps to save bandwidth; Use H.264 codec for maximum compatibility; Keep file sizes under 100MB for easy sharing; Consider vertical (9:16) formats for mobile-first platforms.

Higher resolutions require proportionally higher bitrates to maintain quality: 480p (SD) - 1-3 Mbps; 720p (HD) - 3-5 Mbps; 1080p (Full HD) - 5-10 Mbps; 1440p (2K) - 10-20 Mbps; 2160p (4K) - 20-50 Mbps. The pixel count increases exponentially (4K has 4x more pixels than 1080p), but bitrate scaling is more flexible based on content complexity and quality requirements.