The dashcam storage calculator determines the right SD card size for your dash camera setup. Enter your camera's resolution, number of channels, and desired footage retention to get the recommended card size and speed class.
Camera Setup
Recommended SD Card Size
GB per hour
Total GB needed
Speed Class Requirements
GB per Hour by Resolution
Select your camera settings and click Calculate Storage Needed.
How to Choose the Right Dashcam SD Card
The dashcam storage calculator helps you choose the correct SD card size and speed class for reliable continuous recording. The wrong card can cause dropped frames, recording failures, or premature card failure.
Bitrate and Storage Usage
Dashcam bitrate — how much data the camera records per second — determines storage usage. A typical 1080p dashcam records at 15–20 Mbps, consuming about 6–8 GB per hour. 4K cameras at 50+ Mbps use 20–25 GB per hour. Multi-channel setups multiply this by the number of cameras (rear cameras are often lower resolution, so total usage is less than double).
Why Speed Class Matters
Dashcams write continuous video, which requires consistent sustained write speeds. A V30 or U3 card guarantees 30 MB/s minimum sustained write speed. Consumer cards often achieve much higher burst speeds but fail at sustained recording, causing dropped frames or recording errors. Always buy cards specifically rated for video recording or dashcam use.
Card Lifespan for Loop Recording
Loop recording continuously writes and overwrites data, wearing out flash memory over time. Cheap consumer cards often fail within 3–6 months of 24/7 dashcam use. Dashcam-optimized endurance cards (Samsung Endurance, SanDisk MAX Endurance) are rated for 40,000–100,000 hours of recording before failure — several years of normal use. They cost slightly more but are worth it for the reliability.
FAQ
What SD card size do I need for my dashcam?
Most single-camera 1080p dashcams use about 6–8 GB/hour. A 64GB card holds 8–10 hours of footage before overwriting in loop mode. For 4K cameras or dual-channel setups, use 128GB or 256GB. Check your camera's maximum supported card size — many cameras cap at 64GB or 128GB.
Is this dashcam storage calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run locally in your browser.
Is my data safe?
Absolutely. Everything runs in your browser. No data is transmitted or stored.
What speed class does a dashcam SD card need?
Dashcams continuously write video data, which requires a card with fast sustained write speeds. Look for U3 (Ultra Speed Class 3) or V30 (Video Speed Class 30) rated cards. These guarantee at least 30 MB/s sustained write speed. Standard Class 10 cards often can't keep up with 4K dashcams.
Should I use a dashcam-specific SD card?
Yes. Consumer SD cards are optimized for burst writes (photos) not continuous video recording. Dashcam-specific cards from Samsung (Endurance), Sandisk (Endurance), or Kingston (Canvas Go!) are designed for 24/7 loop recording and have better heat tolerance — important since dashcams experience high temperatures in parked vehicles.
What is loop recording and how does it affect storage?
Loop recording automatically overwrites the oldest footage when your card is full, so you always have the most recent N hours recorded. Most dashcams use loop recording by default. This means you don't need unlimited storage — just enough for the footage window you want to retain. Most users need 1–3 hours.