Vector storage calculator
Vector Database Storage Estimator
Estimate raw vector, metadata, index, replica, and buffered storage requirements plus monthly and yearly storage cost.
Vector storage estimate
Float32 vectors · user-entered storage rate
5.72 GB
0.47 GB
1.86 GB
18.5 GB
Includes replicas, index overhead, and safety buffer
$4.63
$55.50
Calculation basis
- Vector format
- float32 · 4 bytes/value
- Replicas
- 2
- GB definition
- 1,073,741,824 bytes
- Storage rate
- $0.25 / GB-month
Formula
How vector storage is estimated
The calculator models dense float32 vectors at four bytes per dimension, adds metadata and index overhead, then applies replicas and a safety buffer.
Raw bytes = vectors × dimensions × 4
Indexed bytes = (raw vectors + metadata) × (1 + index overhead)
Total GB = indexed bytes × replicas × safety buffer ÷ 1,073,741,824
export function vectorStorage(input: {
vectors: number;
dimensions: number;
metadataBytes: number;
indexOverheadPercent: number;
replicas: number;
}) {
const rawBytes = input.vectors * input.dimensions * 4;
const metadataBytes = input.vectors * input.metadataBytes;
const overhead =
(rawBytes + metadataBytes) *
(input.indexOverheadPercent / 100);
return (rawBytes + metadataBytes + overhead) * input.replicas;
}Example vector storage estimate
One million 1,536-dimensional float32 vectors require roughly 5.72 GiB before metadata, index overhead, replicas, and safety buffer.
Actual vector databases may compress vectors, use quantization, store sparse values, or enforce minimum capacity. Enter your vendor's storage-only rate for a planning estimate.
What this estimate includes
- Raw float32 vector bytes
- Metadata storage and index overhead
- Replica and safety-buffer multipliers
- User-entered monthly storage rate
Frequently asked questions
How much storage does one vector need?
A dense float32 vector uses four bytes per dimension. A 1,536-dimensional vector therefore uses 6,144 raw bytes before metadata and index overhead.
What should I use for index overhead?
It depends on the index type and database. Start with a documented vendor estimate or a conservative planning percentage, then replace it with observed production storage.
Are replicas additional copies?
Yes. The replicas input represents total stored copies in this calculator. Two replicas doubles indexed storage before the safety buffer.
Does the estimate include vector database compute?
No. Query units, pods, serverless reads and writes, bandwidth, backups, and minimum instance charges are excluded.
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