Enter your trip length, usual photo file size and video bitrate. The planner will estimate how much card and backup storage to carry.
Plan storage for your trip
Use your normal photo file size and video bitrate. This gives a better estimate than guessing from megapixels or video resolution alone.
Recommended capture storage
Your backup plan
Keep the copies independent so one lost or failed device does not remove every copy.
In simple words
See how this was calculated
Video storage is calculated from bitrate: Mbps × seconds ÷ 8. Storage is shown using decimal GB, where 1 GB = 1000 MB.
How do I know my average photo file size?
Open 5 to 10 recent photos from the same camera and shooting format. Look at their file sizes and use a rough average.
If you shoot RAW + JPEG together, add both sizes because both files use storage. File size can change with camera model, megapixels, compression, scene detail and RAW settings, so your own files give the best input.
Why does the calculator ask for video bitrate?
Video resolution alone does not tell you the file size. Two cameras can both record 4K but use very different bitrates.
As a simple storage example, 100 Mbps uses about 0.75 GB per minute, 200 Mbps about 1.5 GB per minute, and 400 Mbps about 3 GB per minute. Use the bitrate shown in your own camera setting.
Why is 20% extra storage added?
Trips rarely follow the exact plan. You may shoot more photos, record longer clips, use a larger RAW setting or keep extra files.
The 20% is simply a planning buffer so you do not arrive at the end of the trip with almost no free space. It is not an official camera requirement.
Does a bigger memory card automatically work in my camera?
No. Capacity, card type and write speed are separate things. Your camera must support the card standard and capacity, and some video or burst modes need a minimum write-speed class.
Use this tool to estimate space, then check your camera manual before choosing the actual card.
Is one very large card better than several smaller cards?
There is no single answer for every trip. One large card means fewer swaps. Several cards can make rotation easier and limit how much of the trip sits on one card.
The calculator tells you the total number of cards for the size you enter. Choose the setup that your camera supports and that fits your backup routine.
Does a dual-card camera already give me a backup?
If your camera is set to write the same files to both cards, it can give you a second card copy while shooting.
But both cards can still be in the same camera or bag. For important travel photos, another full copy on a separate device or in another safe place gives protection against loss or theft of the whole camera setup.
Can I erase a card after copying it to an SSD?
If the SSD becomes the only remaining copy, you are back to one copy again. For important photos, keep the card files until you have checked that another full copy is complete and usable.
After the trip, a stronger long-term backup plan normally keeps more than one independent copy, with one copy away from the main storage location.
Should I include cloud storage as one of my copies?
You can, if the original files are fully uploaded and available in the quality you need. Cloud backup can be useful as a copy away from your cards and drives.
On a trip, upload speed and data limits may make cloud backup slow. The calculator does not assume that cloud upload will be available.
Why can my card show less free space than its printed capacity?
This calculator uses decimal storage units: 1 GB = 1000 MB. Devices and operating systems can display capacity differently, and a formatted card also uses some space for its file system.
That is another reason the planner does not try to fill the card to 100% of the printed number.
What does the example show?
The example uses a 10-day trip, 250 photos per day at 35 MB each, 8 minutes of video per day at 150 Mbps, 128 GB cards and two full copies.
It is only there to show how the planner works. Replace every number with your own shooting plan before deciding what to carry.