Photo Backup Drive Size Calculator
Count the space a whole photo library takes, with every copy you want to keep. Enter the number of photos and their average size, and the total updates as you change them.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Multiply the number of photos by the average size of one photo, then by the number of copies. Divide by one thousand to turn megabytes into gigabytes.
Leave room above the total, because a library keeps growing and drives keep some space for their own files.
Worked example
20,000 photos at 25 MB each, with 2 copies, need about 1,000 GB of space.
Questions
Why keep more than one copy?
One copy can be lost to a failed drive, a fire or a stray delete. A second copy kept in another place protects the photos.
Does video count too?
Video takes far more space than photos. Work out its size on its own, using the average size of one clip.
What is the average photo size?
Check the file size of a few photos from your camera or phone and take the middle figure. Raw files are larger than JPEG files.
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