DICOM Storage Estimator accuracy and testing

Formula source

• **Total Bits = Rows × Columns × Bit Depth × Images** **Total Bytes = Total Bits / 8** The result is converted to MB or GB. Note that this calculates *uncompressed* size. Lossless compression (like JPEG-LS) can reduce this by 2-3x.

Test cases

Known limitations

• This page documents the checked-in calculator logic and does not certify results for every real-world edge case.
• Use the result as a planning estimate unless the calculator page states a stricter purpose.

Assumptions

• The estimate is based on uncompressed pixel data plus a simple metadata overhead percentage.
• Real archive usage varies with transfer syntax, compression, multi-series packaging, replicas, and lifecycle policies.
• This calculator is for capacity planning and should not be treated as an exact PACS billing or storage-accounting figure.

Unit handling

• Matrix Rows (Y) accepts numeric values.
• Matrix Cols (X) accepts numeric values.
• Number of Images/Frames accepts numeric values.
• Bit Depth accepts one of the configured options.
• Header Overhead accepts values in %.
• Study Size is displayed in MB.
• Size in GB is displayed in GB.

Rounding rules

• Number displays use up to 2 decimal places in the calculator UI.

Version history

Change log