For a local recording of a 24/7 YouTube Live stream, estimate 10.8 decimal GB per day for every 1 Mbps of recorded bitrate. Multiply the encoder’s actual recording bitrate in Mbps by the number of hours and by 0.45 to get approximate decimal GB; then multiply by the days you want to keep the files and leave working free space.
For example, a continuous recording at 8 Mbps uses about 86.4 GB per day, or 2.59 TB over 30 days. At 14 Mbps, it uses about 151.2 GB per day, or 4.54 TB over 30 days. These are estimates, not guaranteed file sizes.
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First decide what you need to store
“Storage for a 24/7 channel” can mean either the prerecorded videos that make up its rotation or a local recording of the outgoing stream. They have different storage needs.
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If an encoder loops or schedules a collection of prerecorded videos, the library only needs space for those files. Add the size of each source video used in rotation. A loop does not require 24 hours of unique footage unless the playlist itself contains that much unique material.
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Local recording of the full stream
For a local archive of everything sent out, calculate from the bitrate actually written to disk and the recording duration. Resolution alone does not determine file size: codec, bitrate, audio, bitrate variation and container overhead all matter.
Calculate the storage requirement
Use this estimate for decimal gigabytes (GB):
Storage in GB = recorded bitrate in Mbps × recording hours × 0.45
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At 1 Mbps, the calculation is 1,000,000 bits per second ÷ 8 × 3,600 seconds, which equals 450,000,000 bytes, or 0.45 decimal GB per hour. That is approximately 10.8 GB for 24 hours. Multiply by the number of days you plan to retain recordings.
The table uses decimal units (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes; 1 TB = 1,000 GB) and assumes the listed bitrate is sustained for the entire period.
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| Recorded bitrate | Approx. per hour | Approx. per day | Approx. 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mbps | 0.45 GB | 10.8 GB | 324 GB |
| 4 Mbps | 1.8 GB | 43.2 GB | 1.30 TB |
| 6 Mbps | 2.7 GB | 64.8 GB | 1.94 TB |
| 8 Mbps | 3.6 GB | 86.4 GB | 2.59 TB |
| 10 Mbps | 4.5 GB | 108 GB | 3.24 TB |
| 14 Mbps | 6.3 GB | 151.2 GB | 4.54 TB |
| 17 Mbps | 7.65 GB | 183.6 GB | 5.51 TB |
The table is a linear estimate: doubling the recorded bitrate doubles the storage needed for the same duration. Actual files can differ because of variable bitrate, audio settings, encoder behavior and file overhead. If the software reports video bitrate separately from audio, include audio in your estimate.
Use YouTube’s bitrate recommendations carefully
YouTube’s official live-encoder guidance lists recommended H.264 ingestion bitrates of 6 Mbps for 720p30, 8 Mbps for 720p60, 14 Mbps for 1080p30 and 17 Mbps for 1080p60. If a local recording uses those rates continuously, the estimated storage is:
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- 720p30 at 6 Mbps: about 64.8 GB per day and 1.94 TB for 30 days.
- 720p60 at 8 Mbps: about 86.4 GB per day and 2.59 TB for 30 days.
- 1080p30 at 14 Mbps: about 151.2 GB per day and 4.54 TB for 30 days.
- 1080p60 at 17 Mbps: about 183.6 GB per day and 5.51 TB for 30 days.
These are YouTube’s recommended H.264 ingestion settings, not a promise about the bitrate your recording software will write. YouTube lists different recommendations for AV1 and H.265, so use the row for your actual codec rather than applying an H.264 figure to another format. YouTube also transcodes live streams into multiple viewer formats; estimate local disk use from the recording bitrate, not from the viewer renditions. YouTube Help: Live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions
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- Check the recording settings. Find the bitrate used by the local recording in your encoder or recording software. Confirm whether the displayed figure includes audio.
- Calculate the required space. Multiply Mbps by the hours per recording period and by 0.45, then multiply by the number of days you want to retain.
- Leave free working capacity. Do not plan to fill a drive to its listed capacity. Allow room for bitrate peaks, overhead, system files and other content.
- Check the files as the stream runs. YouTube advises checking that the local archive file is growing and remains intact. A drive that is nearly full, disconnected or unable to sustain writes can undermine an otherwise correct estimate. YouTube Help: Live streaming tips
- Choose storage for the archive you actually need. An external drive can hold source videos or local recordings. For a large archive shared across machines, network storage may be useful, but YouTube does not require a NAS.
YouTube recommends recording a local archive as a backup. Its archive guidance says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. A continuously running channel should not rely on one uninterrupted YouTube archive as its only retained copy. YouTube Help: Archive live streams
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YouTube’s separate recommendation to leave 20 percent upload-bandwidth headroom is for streaming reliability; it is not a disk-capacity allowance. YouTube Help: Live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions
Or let it run in the cloud
If you need a YouTube channel to keep looping prerecorded videos but do not need to retain a full local recording, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops uploaded videos; it does not stream from a camera. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
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