Video File Size Calculator
Calculate video file size from bitrate and duration.
Understanding Video File Size
Video file size is determined by the bitrate (quality) and duration of the video. Higher bitrates and longer durations result in larger files. Understanding this relationship helps with storage planning, bandwidth estimation, and compression decisions.
File Size Calculation
Basic Formula:
File Size (bytes) = (Bitrate in bits per second × Duration in seconds) / 8
File Size (MB) = (Bitrate in kbps × Duration in seconds) / 8 / 1024
Example: 10 Mbps video for 5 minutes:
(10,000 kbps × 300 seconds) / 8 / 1024 = 366 MB
Typical File Sizes by Resolution
| Resolution | Bitrate | 1 Minute | 10 Minutes | 1 Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 480p | 2 Mbps | 15 MB | 150 MB | 900 MB |
| 720p | 5 Mbps | 37.5 MB | 375 MB | 2.25 GB |
| 1080p | 10 Mbps | 75 MB | 750 MB | 4.5 GB |
| 1080p 60fps | 15 Mbps | 112.5 MB | 1.1 GB | 6.75 GB |
| 4K (2160p) | 40 Mbps | 300 MB | 3 GB | 18 GB |
| 4K 60fps | 60 Mbps | 450 MB | 4.5 GB | 27 GB |
Storage Planning
When planning storage for video projects, consider:
- Source footage: Raw camera files are much larger than compressed formats
- Working files: ProRes, DNxHD require substantial space (500-1000 Mbps)
- Final exports: H.264/H.265 compressed files for distribution
- Backup strategy: Plan for 2-3x the project size for safety
Compression and Codecs
Most common codec. Good balance of quality and file size. Widely supported across all platforms and devices. Higher bitrates needed compared to newer codecs.
Newer codec with 40-50% better compression than H.264. Same quality at half the bitrate. Requires more processing power to encode and decode.
Audio Considerations
Audio streams add to the total file size but are relatively small compared to video:
| Quality | Bitrate | Size per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Voice/Podcast | 64 kbps | 28 MB |
| Standard Music | 128 kbps | 56 MB |
| High Quality | 192 kbps | 84 MB |
| Studio Quality | 320 kbps | 140 MB |
Platform-Specific Guidelines
Different platforms have file size limits and recommendations:
- YouTube: No strict file size limit, but 128 GB maximum
- Instagram: 650 MB for feed videos, 4 GB for IGTV
- Twitter: 512 MB for videos up to 2:20 minutes
- Facebook: 4 GB maximum, 240 minutes duration
- TikTok: 287 MB for iOS, 72 MB for Android
Quick Reference
Conversion:
- 1 MB = 1,024 KB
- 1 GB = 1,024 MB
- 1 Mbps = 1,000 kbps
- 8 bits = 1 byte
Size Estimates
1 Hour of Video:
- 480p: ~900 MB
- 720p: ~2.25 GB
- 1080p: ~4.5 GB
- 4K: ~18 GB