Try the Interactive Calculator
Enter your exact library size — movies, TV shows, music — and get an instant storage estimate with RAID overhead and growth buffer built in.
Open Plex Storage CalculatorThe Formula (Manual)
Total Storage = (Movies × Avg Size) + (TV Seasons × Avg Size) + 30% Growth BufferUse the file size table below to estimate your average sizes based on quality preferences.
Typical File Sizes
| Content Type | Size Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p Movie | 8–15 GB | 10 GB |
| 4K Movie (compressed) | 40–80 GB | 60 GB |
| 4K REMUX (uncompressed) | 60–100 GB | 80 GB |
| TV Episode (1080p) | 1–4 GB | 3 GB |
| TV Episode (4K) | 5–15 GB | 10 GB |
| Music Album (FLAC) | 300–600 MB | 400 MB |
Example Calculations
Casual User
— 100 movies (1080p) + 20 TV seasonsBreakdown
- 100 movies × 10GB = 1TB
- 20 seasons × 25GB = 500GB
Total Needed
~1.5TB
Recommendation: 4TB drive (room to grow)
Enthusiast
— 300 movies (4K) + 50 TV seasonsBreakdown
- 300 movies × 60GB = 18TB
- 50 seasons × 100GB = 5TB
Total Needed
~23TB
Recommendation: 32TB (RAID 5 with 4×12TB)
Power User
— 1000+ movies (4K REMUX) + full TV librariesBreakdown
- 1000 movies × 80GB = 80TB
- 100+ seasons = 20TB+
Total Needed
100TB+
Recommendation: 128TB+ (multi-NAS or server)
The Growth Factor Rule
Always add 30–50% extra capacity
- Media collections grow faster than expected
- New formats (8K, HDR) will increase file sizes
- Re-encoding existing content is rare once collected
- RAID overhead reduces usable space
Storage Strategy Tips
Start Larger
Buying small drives leads to expensive upgrades later. Get 2x what you think you need today.
Use Multiple Drives
Easier to scale, better performance, and reduced risk if one drive fails.
Plan for Redundancy
Storage without backup is temporary. RAID or offsite backup is essential.
Common Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage do I need for 100 movies on Plex?
For 100 1080p movies, you need approximately 1TB (10GB average per movie). For 100 4K movies, plan for 6TB (60GB average per movie). For 4K REMUX, budget 8-10TB.
How big is a 4K movie file?
A typical 4K movie ranges from 40-80GB for compressed 4K, and 60-100GB for 4K REMUX (uncompressed). The exact size depends on runtime and encoding quality.
Should I plan for extra storage with Plex?
Yes! Always add 30-50% extra capacity. Media collections grow faster than expected, new formats increase file sizes, and RAID overhead reduces usable space. Buy more than you think you need.
Does RAID reduce my usable storage?
Yes. RAID 1 gives you 50% usable capacity. RAID 5 loses one drive worth to parity. RAID 6 loses two drives. Factor this into your calculations—40TB raw might only be 30TB usable.
How fast do Plex libraries typically grow?
Most users underestimate growth by 2-3x. A 'small' starter library often grows to 10-20TB within two years. Buy more capacity than you currently need.
Ready to Buy Storage?
Now that you know how much you need, find the best drives at the best prices.