Video Size
Calculate video file size from duration and bitrate. Estimate MB, GB, and KiB for compressed and uncompressed video. Free online video storage calculator with charts.
About This Calculator
The Video Size calculator estimates the storage space required for a video file based on its duration and bitrate. Whether you are planning a video shoot, estimating upload sizes, or managing disk space for your media library, this tool provides quick and accurate file size estimates in megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and kibibytes (KiB).
The calculation uses the standard formula: File Size (MB) = Duration (minutes) × 60 × Bitrate (Mbps) ÷ 8. This converts the total bits of video data into megabytes by accounting for the 8:1 ratio between bits and bytes. The result is then scaled to gigabytes (÷ 1000) and kibibytes (× 1024) for multiple unit views.
Bitrate is the primary factor determining video quality and file size. Higher bitrates preserve more detail but consume more storage and bandwidth. Common video bitrate recommendations vary by resolution: 8-15 Mbps for 1080p H.264, 35-50 Mbps for 4K H.264, and 15-25 Mbps for 4K H.265 (HEVC). Modern codecs like H.265 and AV1 achieve the same quality at roughly half the bitrate of H.264.
Regional Notes
India: Popular streaming platforms like Hotstar and JioCinema use adaptive bitrate streaming ranging from 1 Mbps (SD) to 15 Mbps (4K). DTH and cable operators commonly use MPEG-2 or H.264 at 3-8 Mbps for HD channels. Mobile video consumption favours lower bitrates of 1-3 Mbps for 720p streaming. Typical data caps (1-5 GB/day) make bitrate-aware encoding essential for content creators targeting Indian audiences.
United States: YouTube recommends 8-12 Mbps for 1080p and 35-45 Mbps for 4K uploads using the H.264 codec. Netflix specifies 5 Mbps for HD and 15 Mbps for 4K streaming. US broadcast television uses ATSC standards with variable bitrates up to 19 Mbps for HD. Common internet data caps range from 1-1.2 TB/month on major ISPs.
United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer streams HD content at approximately 5 Mbps using H.264. Sky Q and Virgin Media use MPEG-4 and HEVC for broadcast and on-demand, typically at 8-15 Mbps for HD and 25-40 Mbps for 4K. UK broadband average speeds (70-80 Mbps as of 2025) support streaming these bitrates comfortably, though rural areas may have slower connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate video file size?
Multiply the video duration in minutes by 60 to get seconds, multiply by the bitrate in Mbps (megabits per second), then divide by 8 to convert bits to bytes. The result is the file size in megabytes (MB).
What bitrate should I use for 4K video?
For 4K video at 24-30 fps, a bitrate of 35-50 Mbps is recommended for H.264 and 15-25 Mbps for H.265 (HEVC). Higher bitrates produce better quality but larger file sizes.
What bitrate should I use for 1080p video?
For 1080p video at 24-30 fps, a bitrate of 8-15 Mbps works well for H.264. For 60 fps, increase to 12-20 Mbps. Live streaming typically uses 3-6 Mbps for 1080p.
How big is a 10-minute 4K video?
A 10-minute 4K video at 50 Mbps bitrate produces approximately 3.75 GB (3750 MB). At 35 Mbps the same video would be about 2.63 GB. Actual size varies with codec and compression efficiency.
What is the difference between Mbps and MB/s?
Mbps (megabits per second) measures data transfer rate in bits. MB/s (megabytes per second) measures in bytes. Since 1 byte = 8 bits, divide Mbps by 8 to get MB/s. A 50 Mbps bitrate equals 6.25 MB/s.
How does the H.265 codec compare to H.264 for file size?
H.265 (HEVC) typically achieves 30-50% better compression than H.264 at the same quality level. A video that is 1 GB in H.264 may be only 500-700 MB in H.265, making it ideal for 4K and high-resolution content.
Is this calculator accurate for all video formats?
This calculator provides an estimate based on bitrate and duration. Actual file sizes vary depending on codec efficiency, encoder settings, motion complexity, audio tracks, and container overhead. Use it as a planning tool for storage estimation.