PPeak Productivity
Free Chrome workflow tool

Screen recording file size, before you press record.

Pick resolution, framerate, duration, and a quality preset. Get an MP4 file size estimate, a recommended bitrate, and a rough comparison so you know what fits in an email, Slack, or a course platform.

Match this to where the video will be watched.
30 fps suits tutorials. 60 fps for gameplay and scrolling.
High is the sweet spot for sharing finished recordings.
10 min
Drag to set the planned length, 1 to 120 minutes.
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600MB estimated MP4
8.0 Mbpsrecommended bitrate
60 MBper minute
Slack OKupload fit

Reference: typical bitrates

The high preset values match what YouTube and Vimeo suggest for clean uploads. Low and medium are useful for sharing drafts. Lossless is for editing masters, not final delivery.

Resolution at 30 fpsLowMediumHighLossless
720p2.23.44.813.4
1080p3.65.68.022.4
1440p6.710.414.841.4
4K16.225.236.0100.8

Values in Mbps. Multiply by 1.6 for 60 fps, by 0.9 for 24 fps. File size in MB equals bitrate in Mbps times 0.125 times duration in seconds.

What changes the real number

  • Static screens compress better. A still spreadsheet recorded at 8 Mbps may end up closer to 5 Mbps after encoding.
  • Embedded video, gradients, and animations push the file size toward the high end of the estimate.
  • Webcam overlays add a small amount, usually 1 to 2 Mbps more.
  • Audio adds roughly 1 MB per minute at 128 kbps stereo. Included in the estimate.
  • If you re-encode after editing, the final file will usually shrink by 20 to 40 percent.

Want screen recording without the math?

Screen Recorder Pro is a Chrome extension that captures your tab, window, or full screen, with audio and webcam overlay. Sensible defaults handle the bitrate so the file size stays manageable for sharing.

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How accurate is this file size estimate?

It is a planning estimate, not a guaranteed number. Real recordings can be 10 to 25 percent smaller or larger depending on screen content. Plain text and static UI compress very well. Fast motion, gradients, and video playback inside the recording push the size up.

What bitrate should I use for a 1080p tutorial?

For most 1080p30 software tutorials, 6 to 10 Mbps is enough. The high preset in this calculator lands around 8 Mbps, which matches YouTube's recommended upload bitrate for 1080p30.

Why does 60 fps make the file so much bigger?

Doubling the framerate from 30 to 60 fps roughly multiplies the encoder's work load by 1.6 because consecutive frames are more similar, so it is not a perfect 2x, but it is close. Use 60 fps only for fast-motion content like gameplay or scrolling demos.

Is lossless worth it for screen recording?

Only if you plan to edit heavily or re-encode later. Lossless files are several times larger than high quality MP4 and most viewers cannot see the difference once the final video is published.

How long can I record before hitting common upload limits?

Gmail attachments cap at 25 MB. Slack free plan caps at 1 GB per file. YouTube allows up to 256 GB. Use the calculator to see if your target duration fits before you start recording.