Calculate how much disk space one hour of streaming or recording uses based on your bitrate. Plan storage for VODs, archives, and local recordings.
Every minute of streaming or recording generates a file that takes up disk space. The amount depends almost entirely on your bitrate setting — the higher the bitrate, the larger the file. Most streamers also save a local recording while streaming, which can quickly consume hundreds of gigabytes per month.
This calculator converts your bitrate into gigabytes per hour so you can plan your storage needs. Whether you're archiving VODs, keeping local recordings for highlight editing, or managing Twitch's automatic VOD storage, knowing the per-hour size helps you decide when to invest in more storage or adjust your settings.
Streamers who record at high bitrates for YouTube uploads often need separate storage drives. A single 6-hour stream at 8,000 kbps generates over 21 GB of data. Multiply that by 20 streams per month and you're looking at 420+ GB just for raw recordings.
Gamers, streamers, and content creators benefit from precise stream storage per hour data when optimizing their setup, planning purchases, or maximizing performance and value. Bookmark this tool and return whenever your hardware, games, or streaming requirements change.
Running out of disk space mid-stream is a nightmare that can silently stop your local recording. This calculator helps you estimate exactly how much storage each stream consumes so you can plan ahead. It's also essential for budgeting cloud storage costs if you archive VODs to Google Drive, Dropbox, or a NAS.
storage_gb = bitrate_kbps × 3600 / 8 / 1,000,000 Where: bitrate_kbps = encoding bitrate in kilobits per second 3600 = seconds in one hour 8 = bits per byte conversion 1,000,000 = bytes to gigabytes (using SI units)
Result: 2.70 GB/hour
At 6,000 kbps (standard Twitch bitrate), one hour of streaming produces 6000 × 3600 / 8 / 1,000,000 = 2.70 GB. A typical 4-hour stream generates 10.80 GB. Over 20 streams per month, that's 216 GB of local recordings.
File size is directly proportional to bitrate and duration. Double your bitrate and the file doubles in size. Double your stream length and the file doubles. This linear relationship makes planning straightforward once you know your bitrate.
H.264 is the standard streaming codec, but H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 produce smaller files at the same quality. NVENC on RTX 40-series GPUs supports AV1 encoding, which can reduce file sizes by 30-50% compared to H.264. If your hardware supports it, using a more efficient codec for local recordings saves significant storage.
New streamers often underestimate storage needs. Start with at least 1 TB dedicated to recordings, and plan to move archived content to cheaper storage (external HDDs or cloud) monthly. A serious content creator streaming 5 days per week at 8,000 kbps needs roughly 500 GB per month just for raw recordings.
At the recommended 6,000 kbps, each hour uses approximately 2.70 GB. A 4-hour stream produces about 10.8 GB. This applies to local recordings at the same bitrate — Twitch stores VODs on their servers.
Audio is typically 128–320 kbps, which adds 0.06–0.14 GB per hour. It's a small fraction compared to video bitrate but should be included for precise estimates. This calculator focuses on total bitrate including audio.
Yes, local recordings give you higher quality footage for highlights and YouTube uploads. Twitch VODs are compressed and time-limited. Use OBS's dual-output feature to stream at one bitrate and record at a higher one.
Record in MKV format for crash safety — MKV files remain playable even if OBS crashes. After the stream, remux to MP4 for editing compatibility. OBS has a built-in remux tool under File menu.
Lower the recording bitrate, reduce resolution, or switch to a more efficient codec like HEVC/H.265 instead of H.264. HEVC produces similar quality at roughly 40% smaller files but requires more CPU or a newer GPU encoder.
Streaming itself sends data to the platform and doesn't use local storage. However, if you enable local recording in OBS (which most streamers do), those recordings save to your disk and consume storage.