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Home Security Camera Calculator — Coverage & Storage

Calculate cameras needed, storage requirements, and installation costs for home security

Cameras Needed

3

Storage

4 TB

Total Cost

$860

Camera Plan

Cameras
3
Coverage/Cam
85.7 ft
GB/Day
170
Recommended
4 TB

Storage Details

Per Camera/Day56.7 GB
All Cameras/Day170 GB
14-Day Total2,381 GB
HDD Needed4 TB

Cost Breakdown

Cameras (3x)$240
NVR/DVR$200
Installation$300
Annual Cloud$120
First Year Total$860

What You'll Need

Rev-A-Shelf 2-Tier Pull-Out Cabinet Organizer

$50-$804.5
View on Amazon

Liberty Hardware Cabinet Knobs 25-Pack Satin Nickel

$22-$304.6
View on Amazon

ClosetMaid Adjustable Closet Rod 48-72" Chrome

$12-$184.5
View on Amazon
BOSCH GLM20 Blaze 65ft Laser Distance Measure

BOSCH GLM20 Blaze 65ft Laser Distance Measure

$30-$504.6
View on Amazon
Stanley FatMax 25ft Magnetic Tape Measure

Stanley FatMax 25ft Magnetic Tape Measure

$20-$304.6
View on Amazon

Rev-A-Shelf 2-Tier Pull-Out Cabinet Organizer

$50-$804.5
View on Amazon

Liberty Hardware Cabinet Knobs 25-Pack Satin Nickel

$22-$304.6
View on Amazon

ClosetMaid Adjustable Closet Rod 48-72" Chrome

$12-$184.5
View on Amazon
BOSCH GLM20 Blaze 65ft Laser Distance Measure

BOSCH GLM20 Blaze 65ft Laser Distance Measure

$30-$504.6
View on Amazon
Stanley FatMax 25ft Magnetic Tape Measure

Stanley FatMax 25ft Magnetic Tape Measure

$20-$304.6
View on Amazon

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Example Calculations

1Average Home (200 ft perimeter, 2K cameras)

Inputs

Perimeter200 ft
Camera FOV110°
Coverage Dist30 ft
Resolution2K
Retention14 days

Result

Cameras Needed3
Storage Needed4 TB HDD
First Year Cost$860

Coverage width = 2 × 30 × tan(55°) = 85.7 ft. Cameras = ceil(200/85.7) = 3. Storage at 75% motion: 3 × 44 GB × 14 = 1,848 GB = 2 TB (4 TB recommended).

2Large Property (350 ft perimeter, 4K cameras)

Inputs

Perimeter350 ft
Camera FOV110°
Coverage Dist30 ft
Resolution4K
Retention30 days

Result

Cameras Needed5
Storage Needed14 TB HDD
First Year Cost$1,520

Cameras = ceil(350/85.7) = 5. Storage: 5 × 86 GB/day × 30 = 12,900 GB. Nearest HDD: 14 TB.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How many security cameras do I need for my home?

Most homes need 4–8 cameras for full exterior coverage. The formula is: Cameras = Perimeter / (2 × Coverage Distance × tan(FOV/2)). A typical 200 ft perimeter with 110° FOV cameras at 30 ft distance needs 4 cameras for complete coverage.

  • Small home (150 ft perimeter): 3–4 cameras for full exterior coverage
  • Average home (200 ft perimeter): 4–6 cameras with some overlap
  • Large property (300+ ft perimeter): 6–10 cameras, consider higher-range models
  • Add 1–2 cameras for driveway, garage, and back door close-up views
Q

How much storage do security cameras need?

A single 2K camera recording 24/7 with 75% motion-only uses about 44 GB/day. With 4 cameras and 14-day retention, you need approximately 2.5 TB. Motion-only recording reduces storage by 60–75% compared to continuous recording.

  • 1080p continuous: 3.6 GB/hr per camera (86 GB/day)
  • 2K continuous: 5.4 GB/hr per camera (130 GB/day)
  • 4K continuous: 10.8 GB/hr per camera (259 GB/day)
  • Motion-only reduces storage 60–75% vs continuous for most residential locations
ResolutionContinuous GB/Day75% Motion-Only GB/Day4 Cameras × 14 Days
1080p86 GB32 GB1.8 TB
2K130 GB44 GB2.5 TB
4K259 GB86 GB4.8 TB
Q

What resolution is best for home security cameras?

2K (2560x1440) offers the best balance of image quality and storage efficiency for residential use. 1080p is adequate for wide-angle overview shots, while 4K is worth the storage cost for license plate reading and facial identification at longer distances.

  • 1080p: sufficient for 20–30 ft range, lowest storage and bandwidth requirements
  • 2K: readable faces at 30–40 ft, license plates at 20–25 ft, moderate storage needs
  • 4K: readable license plates at 40–50 ft, highest detail, requires 3x storage of 1080p
  • Mixed resolution (4K at entry, 2K for perimeter) optimizes cost and storage
Q

How much does a home security camera system cost?

A complete 4-camera system costs $400–$1,200 including cameras, NVR, and installation. Budget systems (Reolink) start at $250 for 4 cameras + NVR. Premium systems (Ubiquiti, Hikvision Pro) run $600–$1,500. Professional installation adds $75–$150 per camera.

  • Budget 4-camera kit (1080p/2K): $200–$400 (DIY) including NVR
  • Mid-range 4-camera kit (2K/4K): $400–$800 (DIY) including NVR
  • Premium system (Ubiquiti UniFi): $600–$1,500 for 4–8 cameras + NVR
  • Professional installation: $75–$150 per camera for mounting and wiring

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Last Updated: Mar 25, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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