Calculate video file size from bitrate and duration.
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.
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
| 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 |
When planning storage for video projects, consider:
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 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 |
Different platforms have file size limits and recommendations:
Conversion:
1 Hour of Video: