How much storage do I need? MB, GB and TB explained with real file sizes

Buying a phone, laptop or cloud plan almost always comes down to the same question: how much storage do I need? The options jump from 64 GB to 128, 256, 512 and beyond, often with a big price difference between each step. The answer depends far less on the numbers than on what you actually keep: photos, videos, games and offline music fill space at very different rates.

What do MB, GB and TB mean?

Storage is measured in bytes, and each step up is about a thousand times bigger than the last:

Your computer may show slightly smaller numbers than the box, because many systems count in binary units; our guide to GB vs. GiB explains why a 1 TB drive appears as about 931 GB. Convert any size with the data storage converter.

How much space do photos, videos and music take?

Sizes vary with the device, settings and content, but these rough figures are a useful guide:

Video is the biggest variable by far. An hour of 4K video at 60 frames per second can use around 24 GB on its own.

What fits in 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB?

Here's a rough idea of what each size could hold if it were filled with a single type of file, before subtracting space for the operating system and apps:

In practice you'll have a mix, and the operating system plus everyday apps can take a substantial share, often 15–30 GB or more on a phone.

How much phone storage do I need?

Remember that most phones can't be upgraded later, so it's worth buying a little more than you need today.

How much laptop storage do I need?

For browsing, documents and cloud-based work, 256 GB is often enough. For photo libraries, large software, games or local video projects, 512 GB to 1 TB is more realistic. Video editors and gamers frequently need more, or rely on fast external drives. Unlike most phones, some laptops allow upgrades, but many modern models don't, so check before you buy.

Is cloud storage a good alternative?

Cloud storage can keep your device lean by holding photos and files online and downloading them only when needed. It also protects you if a device is lost. The trade-offs are a monthly cost, the need for an internet connection, and upload time for large files. Many people combine a moderate amount of device storage with cloud backup for photos and documents.

How long will a download take?

Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps), while file sizes use megabytes (MB), and there are 8 bits in a byte. On a 100 Mbps connection, a 5 GB file takes at least 400 seconds, about 7 minutes, and usually a little longer in practice. The time converter helps when you're working out longer transfers.

Best case; real downloads are usually a little slower.

How to free up storage without buying more

• Turn on cloud photo backup and the option to keep smaller versions on the device.
• Delete large videos you've already backed up; they take far more space than photos.
• Clear offline downloads in streaming apps you no longer need.
• Uninstall apps you haven't opened in months, and clear cached data from messaging apps.

How much storage do I need? A quick way to decide

Look at how much storage you're using now and how fast it has grown over the past year or two. Buy enough to cover at least the next two or three years at that pace, plus a margin. If you're regularly running out today, the next size up is almost always worth it.