How to use this calculator
- Enter the Width of your video resolution in pixels.
- Enter the Height of your video resolution in pixels.
- Optionally, enter the Diagonal in pixels to verify the aspect ratio consistency.
- Enter the Bit Depth (bits per pixel), such as 8, 10, or 12.
- Click Calculate to see the uncompressed video size per frame in bytes.
Complete Guide to Uncompressed Video Size (Resolution × Bit Depth)
Uncompressed video size is a critical metric in video production, post-production, and broadcasting workflows. It represents the raw data size of a single video frame before any compression is applied. This size depends primarily on the video resolution (width × height) and the bit depth, which defines how many bits are used to represent each pixel's color information.
The resolution is the total number of pixels in each frame, calculated by multiplying the width by the height. Bit depth, often 8, 10, or 12 bits per pixel, determines the color precision and dynamic range of the video. Higher bit depths allow for more accurate color representation but increase the data size proportionally.
This calculator also optionally accepts the diagonal measurement of the video frame in pixels. Using the Pythagorean theorem, it verifies that the width, height, and diagonal inputs are consistent, ensuring the aspect ratio is correct. This is particularly useful when working with physical display sizes or non-standard resolutions.
The calculation process involves multiplying the total pixels by the bit depth to get the total bits per frame. Since 8 bits equal 1 byte, the total bits are divided by 8 to convert the size into bytes, a more practical unit for storage and memory considerations.
Understanding uncompressed video size helps professionals estimate storage requirements, bandwidth needs, and processing power for handling raw video data. While uncompressed video offers the highest quality, it demands significant resources, making compression essential for distribution and archiving.
Common Mistakes
Warning: Entering inconsistent width, height, and diagonal values can lead to incorrect results. Always verify the diagonal matches the resolution ratio using the Pythagorean theorem.
Warning: Confusing bits (b) with bytes (B) will cause size miscalculations. Remember that 8 bits equal 1 byte.
Warning: This calculator does not account for video compression or frame rate. The result is the size of a single uncompressed frame only.
Warning: Using zero or negative values for any input will invalidate the calculation.
Real World Example
Calculating the uncompressed frame size of a 1920×1080 Full HD video with 10-bit color depth.
- Step 1: Input resolution: Width = 1920 pixels, Height = 1080 pixels.
- Step 2: Calculate diagonal: Diagonal = √(1920² + 1080²) = √(3,686,400 + 1,166,400) = √4,852,800 ≈ 2202.91 pixels.
- Step 3: Input bit depth: Bit Depth = 10 bits per pixel.
- Step 4: Calculate total pixels: Total pixels = 1920 × 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels.
- Step 5: Calculate total bits: Total bits = 2,073,600 × 10 = 20,736,000 bits.
- Step 6: Convert bits to bytes: Total bytes = 20,736,000 / 8 = 2,592,000 bytes (~2.59 MB).
Result: Each uncompressed frame requires approximately 2.59 MB of storage.
Frequently asked questions
What is bit depth in video?
Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent the color of each pixel. Higher bit depth allows for more color precision and smoother gradients. Common bit depths are 8-bit, 10-bit, and 12-bit per channel. This calculator uses bit depth to determine the data size per pixel.
Why is the diagonal input important?
The diagonal input helps verify the aspect ratio of the resolution using the Pythagorean theorem. It ensures the width and height inputs are consistent with the physical screen size or intended resolution ratio. If diagonal is missing, the calculator assumes width and height define the resolution.
How do bits and bytes relate in this calculation?
Bits (b) are the smallest unit of digital data, while bytes (B) consist of 8 bits. This calculator computes total bits first (pixels × bit depth) and then converts to bytes by dividing by 8, providing a more practical size measurement for storage and memory.
Does this calculator consider compression?
No. This calculator estimates the size of uncompressed video frames based on resolution and bit depth. Compression algorithms reduce file size significantly but are not accounted for here. Use this for raw data size estimation in production or post-production workflows.
Can I use fractional values for width, height, or diagonal?
Yes, fractional values are accepted and useful for precise calculations, especially when working with non-integer resolutions or physical screen sizes. The calculator handles decimal inputs and performs geometric ratio checks accordingly.
References & additional resources
Official standards for video and timecode formats.
Detailed explanation of bit depth and its impact on video quality.
Mathematical principle used to relate width, height, and diagonal.