How much space do your WordPress backups need?
Enter your site size, backup frequency and how many copies to keep. See the storage you need today and in 12 months, and whether the free Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive plans are enough.
| Cloud plan | Space | Today | In 12 months |
|---|
| When | Storage used |
|---|
Runs in your browser - numbers never leave your device Covers Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive 12-month growth projection
Quick answer: WordPress backups need roughly the size of your zipped files plus your database, multiplied by the number of copies you keep. Enter those numbers above to see the space needed today and in 12 months, and which free cloud plans can hold them. Nothing leaves your browser.
Backups quietly fill cloud storage. This calculator shows how much space a schedule really uses, so you can choose the right number of copies or the right plan before the first upload fails.
How to estimate WordPress backup storage
- Enter your site size Add the size of your files (wp-content and uploads) and your database, in GB.
- Choose a schedule Pick how often you back up and how many copies to keep.
- Read the result See the storage needed now and in 12 months, and which cloud plans fit.
Frequently asked questions
How much storage do WordPress backups need?
Roughly the zipped size of your site files plus the database, times the number of copies you keep. A 8 GB site with a 0.5 GB database that keeps 7 daily copies needs about 40 GB.
Does backup frequency change how much space I need?
Not directly. Space depends on how many copies you keep. Frequency decides how far back those copies reach: 7 daily copies cover a week, 7 weekly copies cover almost two months.
How much does compression save?
Text, code and database dumps compress well, often by half or more. JPEG, PNG and video barely compress. The calculator uses three presets, so treat the result as an estimate.
Are the free Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive plans enough?
Free plans are small: Dropbox Basic 2 GB, personal OneDrive 5 GB and Google Drive 15 GB shared with Gmail and Photos. Check the provider for current limits. A media-heavy site usually needs a paid plan.
Which cloud storage does Backup Copilot support?
The Pro version sends backups to Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive (personal accounts only, not OneDrive for Business), uploads large files in chunks and shows the space left in each account.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The numbers you enter stay in your browser and are never uploaded.
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