The photo storage calculator estimates the total storage space needed for your photo library based on camera resolution, file format, and number of photos. Plan your SD cards, hard drives, and cloud backup.
Calculate Photo Storage
How to Plan Your Photo Storage
Storage planning depends on your shooting volume, format choices, and backup strategy. A wedding photographer shooting 2,000 RAW files per event at 24MP needs about 50GB per event — meaning 1TB fills up in roughly 20 weddings.
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule
Professionals follow the 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of all files, on 2 different media types (e.g., HDD + SSD), with 1 offsite or cloud backup. This means your storage budget is effectively 3× your working storage needs.
Cloud vs. Local Storage
Local HDDs are cheapest per GB (~$20-25/TB for 4TB drives). Cloud storage is convenient but adds recurring costs — Google One at $10/month gives 2TB. For large archives, Backblaze B2 cloud storage at $6/TB/month is the most cost-effective cloud option for photographers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is a RAW photo file?
RAW file size depends on your camera's megapixel count. A 24MP camera produces RAW files of approximately 25-30 MB each. A 45MP camera generates 45-60 MB per file. Compressed RAW formats (Canon CR3, Sony ARW with compression) are typically 30-50% smaller.
How many photos fit on a 128GB SD card?
A 128GB SD card holds approximately 4,000-5,000 RAW files from a 24MP camera, or 25,000-30,000 high-quality JPEGs. For video, 128GB holds about 2-3 hours of 4K footage or 6-8 hours of 1080p video.
How much backup storage do photographers need?
Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: 3 copies, on 2 different media, with 1 offsite. A working photographer shooting 500-1000 images per event needs 2-4TB of primary storage plus equal offsite backup. Budget for at least 2× your estimated working storage.
Should I shoot RAW or JPEG?
RAW files retain full image data for post-processing — essential for professional work and low-light photography. JPEGs are 80-90% smaller but discard data that can't be recovered. Most professionals shoot RAW+JPEG: RAW for editing, JPEG for quick client previews.
Is this free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.