RAW File Storage
Estimate how many memory cards a RAW photo shoot needs.
About RAW File Storage
Megabytes multiply across the shoot to give total storage, then that total and per-card capacity decide how many cards the day needs. RAW files are large and unforgiving, so sizing cards before a shoot prevents running dry in the middle of a paid session.
Formula
RAW File Storage
Total = photos x MB / 1024; cards = photos / photos per card
- photos per card
- How many raw files a full card of that size holds
Worked example
With the default values below, RAW File Storage returns Data Needed of 26.37. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Photos takenminimum 1
- 600
- File sizeminimum 0.1 MB
- 45 MB
- Card capacityone of 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
- 128 GB
Results
- Data Needed
- 26.37 GB
- Cards Needed
- 1
- Fill of One Card
- 20.6%
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2RAW File Storage
- 3Data Needed= 26.37 GB
- 4Cards Needed= 1
- 5Fill of One Card= 20.6
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 3 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 2 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 RAW File Storage calculated?
Total = photos x MB / 1024; cards = photos / photos per card Megabytes multiply across the shoot to give total storage, then that total and per-card capacity decide how many cards the day needs.
Why does RAW File Storage matter?
RAW files are large and unforgiving, so sizing cards before a shoot prevents running dry in the middle of a paid session.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 3 inputs: Photos taken, File size, Card capacity. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.