CCTV Planning Tool
CCTV Storage & Bandwidth Calculator
Tell us how many cameras you want, the resolution and how long you want to keep recordings. Weβll estimate the storage, recorder size and network bandwidth for you.
Made for beginners first You do not need to know bitrate, PoE budgets or RAID. Those options are available only under Advanced / Installer Settings if you need them.
Quick Start
Build Your CCTV System
Only the essential questions are shown below.
1
Your cameras
Choose how many cameras you plan to connect.
Not sure? 4MP is a common all-round choice; 8MP gives more detail.
2
Recording
Motion recording can reduce storage use significantly.
30 days is a common planning target.
3
Video quality
H.265+ normally reduces storage compared with H.264.
15 fps is usually sufficient for many general CCTV installations.
Advanced / Installer Settings
Use this only if you know the configured camera bitrate.
What the results mean
Simple answers, not CCTV jargon
StorageThe approximate usable storage capacity you should plan for to reach your selected recording period.
Recorder channelsThe recommended 4, 8, 16 or 32-channel NVR/DVR size based on your camera quantity plus spare capacity.
BandwidthThe approximate camera data rate. For IP systems, this helps you choose an NVR with enough incoming bandwidth.
FAQ
CCTV Storage Calculator Questions
Do I need to understand bitrate to use this calculator?
No. Beginner mode estimates bitrate automatically from the resolution, frame rate and compression you choose. Installers can enter an exact bitrate under Advanced Settings.
How accurate is the storage estimate?
It is a planning estimate. Actual storage varies with camera model, configured bitrate, scene movement, compression, audio and recording schedule. If you know the exact configured bitrate, enter it under Advanced Settings for a more direct estimate.
What recorder size should I choose?
The calculator recommends the next common recorder channel size that can accommodate your cameras plus the spare channels you select.
Does this work for DVR systems?
Yes. Under Advanced Settings you can change the recorder type to HD-TVI / DVR. Storage is still calculated, while NVR network bandwidth is treated differently.