How Many Minutes of Video Per GB? Hold Capacity (All Card Sizes) • Storyteller Tech (2024)

Card capacity is simpler than you think. In this post, you’ll learn how many videos per GB of memory. And how many videos each memory card size can hold. We’ll also answer the following questions: How many video minutes can a 32GB card hold? And how many hours of video can 64GB hold?

Guide to Video Capacity on Memory Cards

It’s important to know your memory card capacity. This way you won’t run out of space until you’re finished filming. And it’ll make it easier to decide the best size of SD cards for your trip.

To help you figure it all out, we created two main sections to this post.

1. First, we cover how many video minutes per gigabyte of data, according to video resolution.
2. Second, we break down how many videos each memory card size will hold. They range from 16GB all the way up to 1TB.

But first, here is the answer to the question:

• How many video minutes per GB? You can fit between1.8 and 3.6 minutes of video in one GB of digital storage. This is based on video resolution of 2.7K to 4K.
• And how many video hours per GB? And while this might sound reasonable at first, GoPro cameras just can’t shoot more than a few minutes per GB of storage. At 2.7K, you can shoot just 0.06 hours of video per GB. This is based on a length of just 3.6 minutes.

For many years, the standard video resolution of GoPro cameras is 4K. I like this resolution because it captures so much detail. And it allows lots of flexibility in editing.

How Many Videos Per GB: Chart

How many videos per GB? You can fit between 1.8 and 3.6 minutes of video in one GB of digital storage. Or 2-5 videos with an average length of 45 seconds, depending on the resolution. This is based on a video resolution of 2.7K to 4K.

For more detail, check out this chart showing the effect of video resolution on storage capacity.

While these will be true for other cameras and models, the calculations in this chart are based on my Hero8 Black. For my methodology, see my explanation below the chart.

*The blank spots in the chart indicate that the fps aren’t available in that resolution.

Methodology: To calculate the average video size per GB, I inserted a 64GB microSD card in my Hero8 Black. To ensure that it was empty, I reformatted it.

Then I set the video resolution and frame rate to each of the settings above. The available space (noted by the time remaining) on the SD card is noted in the top left of the LCD screen. I then divided the time remaining by 64 (the number of GB on my card) to determine the number of minutes per GB of storage space.

Please note that the video size is approximate. As noted in the next section, there are lots of factors affecting the size of a specific video file. The purpose of this post is to give an overview and an approximate base. Of course, if you replicate my settings exactly, your file size and card capacity will also match.

To help you understand video size, here are five factors that can increase/decrease the available storage space on your memory card.

5 Factors Affecting Video Size

There are several factors that will affect the size of each video. And the space you’ll have available on your storage device.

They include video bitrate, frame rate, video length, video container, and other files stored on the same card.

Here are the details:

1. Video bitrate: Bitrate is the number of bits per second captured in the video file. Typically, a higher bitrate equals better video quality and a larger video file. The symbol is Mbps. With HD to 4K video, you can expect a bitrate of 8 to 70 Mbps, depending on the frame rate. The higher the frame rate (fps), the higher the bitrate. GoPro records with a variable bitrate. Shooting with Protune on will result in a slightly higher bitrate – and a corresponding larger file size.
2. Frame rate: You’ll see a significant increase in file size when you increase the frame rate. For example, most HD video will double the bit rate (and thus the file size) one the frames per second go above 30 (at 2.7K) or 60 (at 1080p).
3. Video length: This one is probably obvious. A 4-minute video will take double the space as a 2-minute one (given they have the same specs).
4. Container / File format: The type of video file generated by your camera affects the size of the file. Some common video container formats include AVI, MOV, and MP4. GoPro cameras shoot video in MP4 (h.264 and h.265 codec).
5. Photos files (and other files on the card): It would be uncommon to shoot only videos. Don’t forget about the size of your photos. These will add up quickly – especially if you’re shooting extended time lapse videos. Here’s a chart to help determine how many photos will fit per GB. Some devices create additional files, other than the video and image files. GoPro cameras, for example, create LRV and THM files that will take up space on your card.

Does video resolution affect file size? You might think that this would be a significant factor when comparing memory card capacity. But file size actually depends more on frame rate and bitrate.

For example, in my tests, both 1080p 120fps and 4K 60fps both generated an identical file size (446MB). The bitrate for both was 60 Mbps. Video length was 60 seconds.

More reading: How long can a GoPro record?

How Many Videos Can My Memory Card Hold?

To help you plan card usage, here is a chart that breaks down the video capacity of each memory card size.

How Many Video Minutes Can it Hold? 16GB to 1TB (Chart)

Video resolution is shown as 4K, 2.7K, 1440, and 1080. Video format is based on MPEG-4/H.264.

Left column: First number is video resolution (4K, 2,7K, etc.). Second number is aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3). Third set of numbers shows frame rate (24, 30, etc).

Here is the detailed breakdown for of the video capacity in minutes.

How Many Video Hours Can it Hold? 16GB to 1TB (Chart)

Video resolution is shown as 4K, 2.7K, 1440, and 1080. Video format is based on MPEG-4/H.264.

Left column: First number is video resolution (4K, 2,7K, etc.). Second number is aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3). Third set of numbers shows frame rate (24, 30, etc).

Here is the detailed breakdown for of the video capacity in hours. This chart is the same data, except with data converted to hours.

For a great quality microSD card, I recommend SanDisk. They come in sizes from 32GB to 1TB.

The maximum SD card capacity for GoPro Hero8 Black is 256GB. Of course, you can use memory cards with a larger capacity for media storage, but they won’t work in-camera.

Interested in more options? Here are the best microSD cards for GoPro cameras (all models).

How many videos can 16GB hold?

A 16GB memory card can hold approximately 9 videos. This is based on 4K resolution at 60fps – a standard GoPro video resolution. Average video time of 3 minutes.

Here are how many images from each of these cameras can fit on a 16GB card.

• Minutes of video: 28.8 minutes
• Hours of video: 0.48 hours
• Number of videos (3 minute average): 9 videos

How many videos can 32GB hold?

A 32GB memory card can hold approximately 19 videos. This is based on 4K resolution at 60fps – a standard GoPro video resolution. Average video time of 3 minutes.

Here are how many images from each of these cameras can fit on a 32GB card.

• Minutes of video: 57.6 minutes
• Hours of video: 0.96 hours
• Number of videos (3 minute average): 19 videos

How many videos can 64GB hold?

A 64GB memory card can hold approximately 38 videos. This is based on 4K resolution at 60fps – a standard GoPro video resolution. Average video time of 3 minutes.

Here are how many images from each of these cameras can fit on a 64GB card.

• Minutes of video: 115.2 minutes
• Hours of video: 1.92 hours
• Number of videos (3 minute average): 38 videos

How many videos can 128GB hold?

A 128GB memory card can hold approximately 76 videos. This is based on 4K resolution at 60fps – a standard GoPro video resolution. Average video time of 3 minutes.

Here are how many images from each of these cameras can fit on a 128GB card.

• Minutes of video: 230.4 minutes
• Hours of video: 3.84 hours
• Number of videos (3 minute average): 76 videos

How many videos can 256GB hold?

A 256GB memory card can hold approximately 153videos. This is based on 4K resolution at 60fps – a standard GoPro video resolution. Average video time of 3 minutes.

Here are how many images from each of these cameras can fit on a 256GB card.

• Minutes of video: 460.8 minutes
• Hours of video: 7.68 hours
• Number of videos (3 minute average): 153 videos

How many videos can 512GB hold?

A 512GB memory card can hold approximately 307 videos. This is based on 4K resolution at 60fps – a standard GoPro video resolution. Average video time of 3 minutes.

Here are how many images from each of these cameras can fit on a 512GB card.

• Minutes of video: 921.6 minutes
• Hours of video: 15.36 hours
• Number of videos (3 minute average): 307 videos

How many videos can 1TB hold?

A 1TB memory card can hold approximately 600videos. This is based on 4K resolution at 60fps – a standard GoPro video resolution. Average video time of 3 minutes.

Here are how many images from each of these cameras can fit on a 1TB card.

• Minutes of video: 1,800 minutes
• Hours of video: 30 hours
• Number of videos (3 minute average): 600 videos

GoPro Video Bitrate

Here are the maximum video bit rates when filming with GoPro cameras. Please note that GoPro uses a variable bit rate – and it will change depending on your video resolution and frame rate.

More reading: How to Format Your SD Card (5 Ways)

4 Ways to Use Your Photo Capacity

When would you ever need space for 8 hours of 4K video? As you read this post, you’re probably surprised to see just how many hours of video can fit on on an average SD card.

When would you ever need this kind of space?

1. Extended travel: If you are going on a long trip, you could easily shoot more than 20,000 images. This is true especially if you combine standard photos along with a few time lapse videos.
2. All day adventures: Sometimes it’s easier to just press record and worry about editing it all later. Everything from biking and motorcycle trips to snorkeling and ziplining can be immersive – and require lots of storage space for the day’s adventures.
3. Extended Time Lapse: Perfect for long time lapses – watching the tide rise and fall or the sun set. While some shoots might last just 20 minutes, others might last 8 hours (even more sometimes). Learn more about GoPro time lapses.
4. Photos: While this post is focused on video capacity of memory cards, don’t forget that you’ll probably be shooting lots of photos too. And they can consume a lot of space. After a trip, it isn’t uncommon to have thousands of photos, in addition to the video footage.

Even though you can easily have room for all your photos on one microSD card, I recommend bringing a couple.

And I always try to upload my footage every night. This keeps my photos and videos safe – and keeps my memory cards ready to be filled up the next day.

Here’s what GB means in photography.

Battery Life vs Memory Card

Which do you think will last longer? With the massive memory cards available, there is no question that your SD card will outlast your battery.

A battery will last about 70 minutes of shooting time with a Hero8 Black. That means you’ll need two batteries to fill a 64GB card. And if you use a 245GB card (the largest card Hero8 Black will accept) you’ll need at least 7 batteries.

Here’s more about how to get more life from your battery.

Keep reading: How Many KB in a GB? Guide to All File Sizes

Your Turn

Have a question about video storage? Or maybe a tip about managing video footage on memory cards? Let me know below!