Free browser-based calculator
Media Storage Calculator
Turn video and audio bitrate into storage per hour, total library size, backup capacity and estimated hours per drive.
The calculation
Total bitrate is converted from bits per second to decimal gigabytes per hour, then multiplied by runtime and your overhead allowance. “Total copies” includes the primary copy: choose 2 for one working copy plus one backup.
Why bitrate is better than resolution
Two files labeled 4K can differ by several times in size because codec, encoder settings, frame rate, HDR metadata and source quality matter. Use MediaInfo or your server’s file details to sample actual bitrates instead of relying on the preset labels.
Variable-bitrate media can move well above or below its average. Thumbnails, preview clips, subtitles, artwork, database files and transcoded versions require additional space.
Capacity is not backup
RAID or ZFS redundancy can keep a pool online after a disk failure, but it does not protect against deletion, corruption, theft or a damaged enclosure. Use the RAID and ZFS calculator for usable pool size, then plan at least one independent copy.
For playback planning, see our Jellyfin QSV tests and hardware-transcoding setup guide.