--- title: "CCTV Storage Calculator Guide for Kenyan Businesses | Qyvea" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-storage-calculator-guide-kenya description: "How to calculate CCTV storage needs in Kenya -- the real formula, a working calculator, and a practical sizing table by camera count and retention period." updated: 2026-10-09 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-storage-calculator-guide-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. CCTV Guide # CCTV Storage Calculator Guide for Kenyan Businesses Qyvea Limited Resource Centre · Updated September 2026 Most CCTV quotes in Kenya either wildly over-size storage (charging for a 4TB drive when 1TB would do) or under-size it (leaving a business with three days of footage when they expected thirty). The actual formula isn't complicated -- it just isn't explained clearly. Here it is, plus a calculator you can use directly. ## The formula CCTV storage comes down to four numbers: how many cameras, how much data each one produces per second (bitrate), how many hours per day they record, and how many days you want to keep the footage. Storage (GB) = (Bitrate in Mbps ÷ 8) × 3600 × 24 × Retention Days × Number of Cameras ÷ 1024 Bitrate depends on resolution, compression and how much motion is in the scene -- a busy loading bay uses more data than a quiet corridor at the same resolution. As a working estimate: a 2MP camera on H.265 typically runs 2-3 Mbps, a 4MP camera 3-5 Mbps, and an 8MP camera 6-10 Mbps. ## Try it yourself Number of cameras Bitrate per camera (Mbps) Retention period (days) Recording hours per day Estimated storage needed: **--** ## Practical sizing table For a quick estimate without doing the maths, here's roughly what different setups need at 4MP resolution with H.265 compression and 24-hour recording: | Cameras | 14-day retention | 30-day retention | 60-day retention | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 4 | ~0.7 TB | ~1.5 TB | ~3 TB | | 8 | ~1.4 TB | ~3 TB | ~6 TB | | 16 | ~2.8 TB | ~6 TB | ~12 TB | These are estimates for continuous recording -- motion-triggered recording or lower-motion scenes can reduce actual usage, sometimes significantly. ## What actually changes the number - **Resolution** -- doubling resolution roughly doubles bitrate at the same compression. - **Compression (H.264 vs H.265)** -- H.265 typically halves file size versus H.264 at similar quality. - **Motion-triggered vs continuous recording** -- a camera pointed at a quiet corridor with motion-only recording can use a fraction of the storage of 24/7 continuous recording. - **Frame rate** -- lower frame rate (e.g. 15fps instead of 25fps) on low-activity cameras reduces storage with minimal loss of useful footage. Qyvea sizes the actual NVR/DVR storage during the site survey based on your real camera count, resolution choice and desired retention -- this calculator is here so you know roughly what to expect before that conversation. FAQ ## Questions Is this calculator exact, or an estimate? It's a practical estimate based on typical bitrates for each resolution. Real-world usage varies with scene motion, compression settings and frame rate -- Qyvea confirms exact sizing during the site survey. Does motion-triggered recording really save that much storage? Yes, often significantly, especially on low-traffic cameras like an internal corridor or a rarely-used side door. High-traffic areas like a main entrance benefit less since they're triggering frequently anyway. Should I round up or down when sizing storage? Round up. Running out of storage mid-month means losing footage before you expect to, which defeats the purpose of a chosen retention period. Can Qyvea help me choose the right retention period, not just the storage? Yes -- retention period should match your property type and risk profile, not just be picked at random. See our CCTV FAQ for typical commercial and residential retention periods. ## Get an exact storage quote for your site Free site survey -- we'll confirm camera count, resolution and the right retention period for your property. [Call +254 113 301 244](tel:+254113301244) [WhatsApp Us](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%27d%20like%20help%20sizing%20CCTV%20storage%20for%20my%20site.) Related ## Related pages [### CCTV Installation The full installation service this guide supports.](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv) [### CCTV Installation Checklist What to check before and during installation.](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-installation-checklist-kenya) [### Business CCTV Buying Guide What to look for when choosing cameras.](https://qyvea.co.ke/business-cctv-buying-guide-kenya) [### Resource Centre All Qyvea guides and checklists.](https://qyvea.co.ke/resources) Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)