Prometheus & OpenTelemetry Active Time-Series Cardinality & TSDB Storage Calculator

Compute Prometheus sample ingestion rate (samples/sec) and TSDB disk footprint from cardinality.

TSDB Disk Storage Required
64.8 GB
Ingestion Rate (Samples per Second) 16,666.667 samples/s
Billion Samples Ingested per 30 Days 43.2 B samples
Estimated TSDB Working RAM (~3 KB/series) 0.75 GB RAM
Inputs
⚡ Scenarios:
series
Total unique active time series (metric name × label value combinations).
sec
Prometheus scrape interval in seconds (typically 15s, 30s, or 60s).
days
Local or object-storage TSDB retention window in days.
bytes/sample
Average bytes per compressed sample (Prometheus TSDB averages 1.3–1.7 bytes/sample).
Results & Graph
TSDB Disk Storage Required
64.8 GB
Ingestion Rate (Samples per Second)
16,666.667 samples/s
Billion Samples Ingested per 30 Days
43.2 B samples
Estimated TSDB Working RAM (~3 KB/series)
0.75 GB RAM

TSDB Disk Storage Required

Graph 1 • Prometheus Cardinality & Storage • Domain Architecture & Live Telemetry Maps Active Time Series Cardinality, Scrape Interval Seconds, Retention Days through Prometheus Cardinality & Storage Formula.
TSDB Disk Storage Required: 64.8 GB Prometheus Cardinality & Storage • Invariants & Metrics TSDB Disk Storage Required 64.8 GB Ingestion Rate (Samples per 16,666.667 samples/s Billion Samples Ingested per 43.2 B samples Estimated TSDB Working RAM ( 0.75 GB RAM
Graph 2 • TSDB Disk Storage Required Across Active Time Series Cardinality Sweep (40% → 160%) Evaluates SamplesPerSec = ActiveTimeSeries / ScrapeIntervalSec; Disk_GB = (Sampl across 7 operating points (current input highlighted).
0 GB 57.02 GB 114.0 GB 25.92 100.0k 38.88 150.0k 51.84 200.0k 64.80 250.0k 77.76 300.0k 90.72 350.0k 103.7 400.0k
Graph 3 • Joint Sensitivity: Active Time Series Cardinality × Scrape Interval Seconds Compares TSDB Disk Storage Required when Scrape Interval Seconds is shifted +25% (solid) vs. −25% (dashed).
0 GB 61.78 GB 123.6 GB --- Scrape Interval Seconds @ 75% 36.29 -30% 44.06 -15% 51.84 +0% 59.62 +15% 67.39 +30%
Summary: 250,000 active series scraped every 15s generates 16,667 samples/sec (43.2B samples/mo) and requires 64.8 GB of TSDB storage over 30 days.
Summary: 250,000 active series scraped every 15s generates 16,667 samples/sec (43.2B samples/mo) and requires 64.8 GB of TSDB storage over 30 days.
⚡ Send result to: Unit Converter →Scientific →Date Difference →
Interactive chart & math engine powered by CalculatorGraph

Formula & Mathematical Methodology: Prometheus Cardinality & Storage Formula

SamplesPerSec = ActiveTimeSeries / ScrapeIntervalSec
DiskGB = (SamplesPerSec × 86400 × RetentionDays × BytesPerSample) / 10⁹
SamplesPerSec = ActiveTimeSeries / ScrapeIntervalSec; Disk_GB = (SamplesPerSec × 86400 × RetentionDays × BytesPerSample) / 10⁹
  • activeTimeSeriesCardinality: Total unique active time series (metric name × label value combinations).
  • scrapeIntervalSeconds: Prometheus scrape interval in seconds (typically 15s, 30s, or 60s).
  • retentionDays: Local or object-storage TSDB retention window in days.
  • bytesPerCompressedSample: Average bytes per compressed sample (Prometheus TSDB averages 1.3–1.7 bytes/sample).

Rounding: Internal floating-point calculations run in 64-bit IEEE-754 double precision; display values round to 2–4 decimal places.

Worked Example: Prometheus Cardinality & Storage Worked Example

Compute Prometheus sample ingestion rate (samples/sec) and TSDB disk footprint from cardinality.

  1. Enter the input measurement, system configuration, or astronomical parameter.
  2. Apply the standard conversion or analytical equation: SamplesPerSec = ActiveTimeSeries / ScrapeIntervalSec; Disk_GB = (SamplesPerSec × 86400 × RetentionDays × BytesPerSample) / 10⁹.
  3. Inspect the primary metric, secondary equivalents, and 3 real-time SVG graphs.
Result: Computes Prometheus Cardinality & Storage via SamplesPerSec = ActiveTimeSeries / ScrapeIntervalSec; Disk_GB = (SamplesPerSec × 86400 × RetentionDays × BytesPerSample) / 10⁹.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Prometheus & OpenTelemetry Active Time-Series Cardinality & TSDB Storage Calculator perform the calculation?

It evaluates SamplesPerSec = ActiveTimeSeries / ScrapeIntervalSec; Disk_GB = (SamplesPerSec × 86400 × RetentionDays × BytesPerSample) / 10⁹ directly in your browser and renders three custom SVG charts in real time.

Can I solve backwards for an input parameter using Goal Seek?

Yes. Click "🎯 Goal Seek" in the results toolbar to solve backwards for any numeric input field.

Does this tool work offline?

Yes. All calculations run 100% locally in your browser with full offline PWA support.

Developer Tools · AI, Cloud & Distributed Systems

Prometheus & OpenTelemetry Active Time-Series Cardinality & TSDB Storage Calculator: inputs, method, and how to read the result

Compute Prometheus sample ingestion rate (samples/sec) and TSDB disk footprint from cardinality.

Choose inputs for the case you are checking

The defaults are illustrative. Replace them with values for your case and keep the units shown beside each field.

  • Active Time Series Cardinality: Total unique active time series (metric name × label value combinations).
  • Scrape Interval Seconds: Prometheus scrape interval in seconds (typically 15s, 30s, or 60s).
  • Retention Days: Local or object-storage TSDB retention window in days.
  • Bytes Per Compressed Sample: Average bytes per compressed sample (Prometheus TSDB averages 1.3–1.7 bytes/sample).

What the calculation includes

With the default values shown, TSDB Disk Storage Required is 64.8 GB. The calculation follows Prometheus Cardinality & Storage Formula; the formula and variable definitions above show how the inputs combine.

One-input check: With the other defaults held constant, changing Active Time Series Cardinality from 250,000 series to 275,000 series changes TSDB Disk Storage Required from 64.8 GB to 71.28 GB. This is a comparison inside the calculator's stated model, not a prediction.

Where to use caution

  • Uses official NIST Special Publication 811, IEEE/RFC systems engineering, APA psychometric, and USNO astronomical formulas.
  • Empirical metallurgy and calendar conversions represent standard reference-condition approximations.

Scope: Global NIST, IEEE, APA & Astronomical Standard Check the assumptions and limitations against your situation before relying on the estimate.

More in Developer Tools: Unit Conversion Calculator, Scientific Calculator, Date Difference & Business Days Calculator.