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Backup time

Transfer estimate only: allow extra time for reading, verification and restoration.

Quick answer · example

How long does a 1000 GB backup take?

Transporting 1000 GB at 200 Mbps with 80% efficiency takes 50,000 seconds: 13 h 53 min 20 s. Reading, preparation and verification can add time.

Calculation assumptions

Transfer estimate only: allow extra time for reading, verification and restoration.

View the worked example ↓

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Result

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Formula and assumptions

seconds = GB×10^9×8 / (Mbps×10^6×efficiency/100)

Transfer estimate only: allow extra time for reading, verification and restoration.

All amounts use the same currency of your choice. These are estimates, not measurements or offers.

How to use this calculator

Estimate only the transport phase of a backup. Enter the volume actually sent over the link: for an incremental job, that means changed data rather than the whole protected dataset.

Worked example

  1. Enter 1000 GB, 200 Mbps and 80 % efficiency.
  2. Effective throughput is 200 × 0.8 = 160 Mbps; volume is 8 × 10¹² bits.
  3. Transport takes 50,000 seconds: 13 h 53 min 20 s.

Example result

Time (seconds)
50,000

Interpreting the result

The complete window also includes snapshots, reads, encryption, cataloguing and verification. If the estimate exceeds your overnight window, measure the bottleneck before upgrading the link.

Frequently asked questions

Is this also restore time?

No. Restore throughput can differ and adds destination writes and application checks.

Does it include compression or encryption?

Neither is simulated. Use compressed volume if known and a speed consistent with real processing.

Does it fit in eight hours?

Compare with 8 × 3600 = 28,800 seconds and allow room for the other phases.

References and method

NIST — bits / bytes · References and method