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PACS Migration Storage Planner

Plan PACS migration storage, migration windows, validation sampling, and archive headroom.

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Workflow planner

Study mix

Scope the study count for each DICOM image type.

Study count for CT. Enter 0 to exclude this image type.

Study count for MRI. Enter 0 to exclude this image type.

Study count for X-ray / CR / DR. Enter 0 to exclude this image type.

Study count for Ultrasound. Enter 0 to exclude this image type.

Study count for Mammography. Enter 0 to exclude this image type.

Study count for Nuclear / PET. Enter 0 to exclude this image type.

Study count for Other / Mixed. Enter 0 to exclude this image type.

Live output

Migration plan

Required Storage
228.6
Compressed Image Storage
136.8
Uncompressed Image Storage
245.9
Compression Savings
109.1
Migration Duration
38.1
Validation Studies
17,000
Dominant Image Type
CT

PACS migration storage plan

228.6 TB required after growth and overhead, based on 136.8 TB compressed from 245.9 TB uncompressed DICOM images.

Storage summary
  • Compressed images: 136.8 TB
  • Uncompressed images: 245.9 TB
  • Compression savings: 109.1 TB
  • Required storage with reserve: 228.6 TB
Modality mix
  • CT: 250,000 studies, 48.8 TB compressed
  • MRI: 160,000 studies, 27.1 TB compressed
  • X-ray / CR / DR: 260,000 studies, 14.9 TB compressed
  • Ultrasound: 90,000 studies, 5.1 TB compressed
  • Mammography: 65,000 studies, 32.9 TB compressed
  • Nuclear / PET: 25,000 studies, 7.9 TB compressed
Compression assumptions
  • CT: 450 MB uncompressed, 2.2:1 compression
  • MRI: 320 MB uncompressed, 1.8:1 compression
  • X-ray / CR / DR: 60 MB uncompressed, 1:1 compression
  • Ultrasound: 120 MB uncompressed, 2:1 compression
  • Mammography: 850 MB uncompressed, 1.6:1 compression
  • Nuclear / PET: 500 MB uncompressed, 1.5:1 compression
Runbook estimate
  • Dominant image type: CT
  • Migration throughput: 6 TB/day
  • Validation sample: 17,000 studies
  • Growth reserve: 2 years
Checklist
  • Confirm source archive counts by modality
  • Validate DICOM transfer syntax and compression assumptions
  • Check SOP/image type coverage for derived images and priors
  • Plan cutover freeze and rollback window
  • Document validation sampling method
Next steps
  1. 1Export source modality inventory
  2. 2Run pilot migration by image type
  3. 3Compare image counts, SOP classes, and metadata
  4. 4Schedule final migration waves

Logic: For each modality, uncompressed TB = study count * uncompressed MB / 1,048,576 and compressed TB = uncompressed TB / compression ratio. Required TB applies growth reserve and migration overhead to compressed image storage.

Related Tools

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DICOM Tag Search
Search and identify common DICOM tags (e.g. 0010,0010).
SOP Class Lookup
Identify DICOM objects by their SOP Class UID.
Window / Level
Calculate the Min and Max HU range from Window Width & Center.
Pixel Spacing
Calculate spatial resolution (pixel size) from FOV and Matrix.
DICOM Storage Estimator
Calculate the storage requirements for medical imaging studies.

About this PACS Migration Storage Planner

Use this workflow to size PACS migration storage and create a practical migration runbook outline.

How to use this calculator

  1. Work through each planning step from left to right.
  2. Adjust assumptions until the live artifact matches the scenario you want to save.
  3. Sign in and save the workflow artifact if you want it synced to your Calwarden account.

Key assumptions

  • All values are user-entered planning assumptions.
  • Calculations run locally in the browser.
  • Saved artifacts are stored only when a signed-in user explicitly saves them.

Accuracy and testing

Review formula sources, default test cases, assumptions, unit handling, rounding rules, and changelog for this calculator.

View accuracy page

Key Features

  • Multi-step input flow
  • Live planning artifact
  • Account save support for signed-in users

Things to Keep in Mind

This workflow is a planning aid. Validate assumptions, rates, legal/compliance obligations, vendor quotes, and local policies before acting.