Integer Memory Calculator
Compare integer type sizes and check whether a value range fits.
About Integer Memory Calculator
The smallest type that holds the value range is often much narrower than the default. Dropping from sixty-four to sixteen bits cuts memory fourfold with no loss of information. Narrower types also improve cache utilisation, so the speed gain frequently exceeds the memory saving on large arrays.
Formula
Integer Memory
Required capacity = maximum value × 2 + 1 when signed; choose the smallest type that holds it
- signed range
- One bit represents the sign, halving the positive range
Worked example
With the default values below, Integer Memory Calculator returns Minimum Bytes Required of 4. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Number of values to storeminimum 0
- 10,000,000
- Largest value storedminimum 0
- 2,000,000
- Signed values requiredone of Yes, negatives needed, No, unsigned
- Yes, negatives needed
- Bytes currently used per valueaccepts 1–16 bytes
- 8 bytes
Results
- Minimum Bytes Required
- 4 bytes
- Memory at the Current Type
- 76.2939 MB
- Memory at the Minimum Type
- 38.1470 MB
- Memory Saved
- 38.1470 MB
- Recommended Type
- signed 32-bit integer
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Integer Memory
- 3Minimum Bytes Required= 4 bytes
- 4Memory at the Current Type= 76.2939 MB
- 5Memory at the Minimum Type= 38.1470 MB
- 6Memory Saved= 38.1470 MB
- 7Recommended Type= signed 32-bit integer
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Integer Memory calculated?
Required capacity = maximum value × 2 + 1 when signed; choose the smallest type that holds it The smallest type that holds the value range is often much narrower than the default. Dropping from sixty-four to sixteen bits cuts memory fourfold with no loss of information.
Why does Integer Memory matter?
Narrower types also improve cache utilisation, so the speed gain frequently exceeds the memory saving on large arrays.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 4 inputs: Number of values to store, Largest value stored, Signed values required, Bytes currently used per value. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.