Skywonder GPS

Dashcam Storage Calculator

Find out how much storage your dashcam needs. Enter your camera specs to get the right SD card recommendation.

How to Use This Calculator

1

Enter Camera Specs

Set the resolution and bitrate for your main camera and any additional cameras from the spec sheet.

2

Set Recording Time

Choose how many hours per day you record and how many days of storage you need.

3

Get Recommendation

See the total storage needed and which SD card size is right for your dashcam setup.

Quick Answer

A 1080p dashcam recording 8 hours daily uses approximately 28 GB per day (based on 8 Mbps bitrate). Recommended SD cards: 128GB for 4-5 days, 256GB for 9 days, 512GB for 18 days. 4K dashcams use 4x more storage. Dual-camera setups double these requirements. Use our calculator below for exact estimates.

Main Camera

Mbps

Additional Cameras

Recording Settings

hrs
days

Total Storage Required

196.88 GB
Main Camera (1x)28.13 GB / day
Total per Day28.13 GB / day

Recommended SD Card

256 GB

Use high-endurance microSD cards rated for continuous recording

SD Card Quick Reference

How long each SD card size will last with your current settings

SD Card SizeRecording Duration
32 GB1 day
64 GB2 days
128 GB4 days
256 GBRecommended9 days
512 GB18 days
1 TB36 days

Quick Presets by Use Case

Select a common configuration to instantly calculate storage requirements for your specific application

Taxi/Rideshare

  • •1080p, 1-camera
  • •8 Mbps bitrate
  • •12 hours/day operation
  • •Loop recording, 5-day retention

Recommended:

128 GB Recommended

Logistics/Truck

  • •1080p front + 720p rear
  • •8 Mbps + 4 Mbps
  • •10 hours/day operation
  • •7-day retention for compliance

Recommended:

256 GB Recommended

Bus/Public Transport

  • •1080p, 4-camera (F/R/Interior/Side)
  • •8+4+4+4 Mbps
  • •14 hours/day operation
  • •14-day retention for incidents

Recommended:

512 GB - 1 TB

Fleet/Enterprise

  • •1440p front + 1080p rear
  • •12 Mbps + 8 Mbps
  • •8 hours/day operation
  • •30-day retention for audits

Recommended:

512 GB - 1 TB

Storage by Resolution

Daily storage consumption for 8 hours of recording per camera (loop recording enabled)

ResolutionTypical Bitrate1 Camera (8hrs)2 Cameras (8hrs)4 Cameras (8hrs)Recommended Card (7-day retention)
720p4 Mbps14 GB28 GB56 GB64-128 GB
1080p8 Mbps28 GB56 GB112 GB128-256 GB
1440p12 Mbps42 GB84 GB168 GB256-512 GB
4K20 Mbps70 GB140 GB280 GB512 GB - 1 TB

Note: Actual storage usage may vary by ±15% depending on video content complexity, compression codec (H.264 vs H.265), and manufacturer implementation. Values assume loop recording with automatic overwrite enabled.

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Dashcam Storage FAQ

Everything you need to know about dashcam storage, SD cards, and recording capacity.

How much storage does a dashcam use per day?
Storage usage depends on resolution and bitrate. A 1080p dashcam at 8 Mbps recording 8 hours per day uses approximately 28 GB. A 4K dashcam at 32 Mbps uses about 112 GB for 8 hours. Dual camera setups double these numbers. Use our calculator above to get exact figures for your setup.
What size SD card do I need for a dashcam?
For a single 1080p dashcam recording 8 hours daily: 64 GB gives ~2 days, 128 GB gives ~4 days, 256 GB gives ~9 days. For 4K or dual-camera setups, 256 GB or 512 GB is recommended. Most dashcams support up to 256 GB or 512 GB microSD cards.
Does higher resolution use more storage on a dashcam?
Yes. 4K (2160p) video uses roughly 4x more storage than 1080p at comparable quality settings. 1440p (2K) uses about 2x more than 1080p. The bitrate setting is the primary factor — higher bitrate means better quality but more storage consumption.
How long can a 128 GB SD card record on a dashcam?
With a 1080p dashcam at 8 Mbps bitrate: approximately 36 hours of continuous recording, or about 4.5 days at 8 hours/day. With a 4K dashcam at 32 Mbps: approximately 9 hours of continuous recording, or about 1 day at 8 hours/day.
What is loop recording on a dashcam?
Loop recording automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the SD card is full, so recording never stops. Most dashcams record in 1-5 minute segments. Important clips (from G-sensor events or manual locks) are protected from being overwritten. This means you don't need massive storage — just enough to cover your desired retention period.
What type of SD card is best for a dashcam?
Use high-endurance microSD cards specifically designed for continuous recording (e.g., Samsung PRO Endurance, SanDisk High Endurance). These cards are rated for thousands of hours of read/write cycles. Regular SD cards can fail prematurely in dashcams due to constant recording. Look for cards rated U3/V30 or higher with A2 app performance class.
How much storage does a dual dashcam need?
A dual dashcam (front + rear) typically needs 1.5x to 2x the storage of a single camera, since the rear camera often records at a lower resolution. For example, a front 1080p + rear 720p setup at 8 hours/day needs about 42 GB per day. A 256 GB card would last about 6 days.
Does parking mode use more dashcam storage?
Parking mode typically uses less storage than driving mode because most dashcams switch to motion-detection or time-lapse recording when parked. Instead of continuous recording, it only saves clips when motion is detected, significantly reducing storage consumption — often using only 1-5 GB per 24-hour parking period.
What bitrate should I set on my dashcam?
For 1080p, 6-12 Mbps is typical (8 Mbps is a good balance). For 1440p/2K, 12-20 Mbps is recommended. For 4K, 25-40 Mbps provides good quality. Higher bitrate means better video detail (important for reading license plates) but uses more storage. Check your dashcam's spec sheet for the exact bitrate setting.
Can I use a 1 TB SD card in a dashcam?
Some newer dashcams support 1 TB microSD cards, but many are limited to 256 GB or 512 GB. Always check your dashcam's maximum supported card size in the manual. Using a card larger than supported may cause recording failures or data corruption.
How often should I format my dashcam SD card?
Format your dashcam SD card every 1-2 months to prevent file fragmentation and recording errors. Always format the card in the dashcam itself (not in a computer) to ensure the correct file system. Back up any important footage before formatting.
Does dashcam video quality affect storage file size?
Yes. Video quality is directly tied to bitrate, which determines file size. Higher quality settings (higher bitrate) produce clearer footage with better detail for reading license plates and identifying faces, but consume more storage. H.265 codec uses about 30-50% less storage than H.264 at the same quality level.
KS

Kumar Saurabh

IoT Technology Expert, Skywonder GPS

With 13+ years in fleet telematics and dashcam technology, Kumar has helped over 500 fleet operators worldwide optimize their video storage strategies. His expertise spans dashcam SD card selection, video compression optimization, and fleet-scale storage management across various industries including logistics, public transport, and taxi operations.

13+ Years in Fleet Tech500+ Fleets Consulted47 Dashcam Models Tested

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