Work out compression ratio savings instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Space saved is one minus the reciprocal of the compression ratio, so 3.2:1 saves 69 percent rather than 320 percent — a distinction that trips up capacity plans regularly. Ratios vary enormously by data type: text and logs compress 5:1 or better, while already-compressed media, encrypted data and random binaries compress not at all.
Compression saving
compressed = original / ratio; saved share = 1 - 1/ratio; monthly saving = saved GB x price per GB-month
Text, logs, JSON, database pages and virtual machine images with repeated content. Video, images, audio and encrypted blobs are already compressed or random and will not shrink.
Usually yes with modern algorithms. LZ4 and Zstandard at low levels compress faster than most disks can write, so throughput often improves because fewer bytes are transferred.