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RAID 5 is one of the most widely used configurations for data storage systems due to its balanced approach to performance, fault tolerance, and disk efficiency. If you’re planning to set up a RAID 5 array or want to understand how much usable storage you’ll get from your current setup, our RAID 5 Calculator is the perfect tool for the job.

This simple yet powerful tool allows users to input the number of disks, individual disk size, and preferred unit of measurement to instantly calculate:

  • Usable Storage
  • Parity Storage
  • Total Raw Storage

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, IT professional, or business owner managing a NAS or server environment, understanding RAID 5’s storage dynamics can save time, money, and prevent data loss.

How to Use the RAID 5 Calculator (Step-by-Step)

Using the RAID 5 calculator on our website is straightforward and requires just a few inputs:

Step 1: Enter the Number of Disks

Input the total number of physical disks you plan to use in the RAID 5 array. A minimum of 3 disks is required for RAID 5 to function, as one disk’s worth of space is used for parity.

Step 2: Enter Disk Size

Type in the size of a single disk. For example, if each disk is 2TB, enter “2” and then select “TB” in the next field.

Step 3: Select the Unit

Choose between GB and TB from the dropdown menu based on how you entered the disk size.

Step 4: Click “Calculate”

Click the Calculate button. The tool will display:

  • Usable Storage: The effective capacity available for your data.
  • Parity Storage: The disk space used for redundancy.
  • Total Raw Storage: The combined storage of all disks.

Step 5: Reset if Needed

Use the Reset button to clear the form and start over.

Example Calculations

Let’s break down two practical examples using the tool.

Example 1: Small RAID 5 Array

  • Disks: 4
  • Disk Size: 1 TB
  • Unit: TB

Results:

  • Usable Storage: 3 TB
  • Parity Storage: 1 TB
  • Total Raw Storage: 4 TB

Example 2: High-Capacity Setup

  • Disks: 8
  • Disk Size: 10 TB
  • Unit: TB

Results:

  • Usable Storage: 70 TB
  • Parity Storage: 10 TB
  • Total Raw Storage: 80 TB

This allows users to quickly assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their configuration before purchase or deployment.

What Is RAID 5 and Why Use It?

RAID 5 (Redundant Array of Independent Disks level 5) is a storage architecture that distributes data and parity (used for redundancy) across three or more disks. It offers a balanced solution that improves read performance, ensures fault tolerance, and maximizes usable storage compared to RAID 1 or RAID 10.

Key Benefits:

  • Redundancy: If one disk fails, no data is lost.
  • Cost-Efficient: Only one disk’s worth of space is used for parity.
  • Scalable: You can add more disks (to a certain extent) for greater capacity.

However, RAID 5 does not protect against multiple disk failures and rebuild times can be long with larger disk sizes.

Common Use Cases for RAID 5

  • Small to Mid-Sized Business Servers
  • NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices
  • Media Storage for Video Editing
  • Backup and Archival Systems
  • Virtualization Environments

Its blend of reliability and capacity makes RAID 5 suitable for environments that can’t afford complete redundancy loss but also need efficient storage use.

FAQs About RAID 5 and the Calculator

1. What is the minimum number of disks required for RAID 5?

RAID 5 requires at least 3 disks to function because it needs one disk’s worth of space to store parity information.

2. How is usable storage calculated in RAID 5?

Usable storage is calculated as:
(Number of Disks – 1) × Disk Size

3. What is parity storage?

Parity is redundant data distributed across disks that allows the array to rebuild lost information in case of a single disk failure.

4. Can RAID 5 tolerate more than one disk failure?

No. RAID 5 can only withstand the failure of one disk. A second failure before rebuilding results in total data loss.

5. Is RAID 5 suitable for SSDs?

RAID 5 works with SSDs, but SSD wear leveling and parity overhead can reduce long-term performance. RAID 10 may be better for SSD-heavy environments.

6. Can I use different sized disks in RAID 5?

Technically yes, but the array will treat all disks as the size of the smallest disk, wasting the extra space on larger drives.

7. What happens if a disk fails in RAID 5?

The system continues running in degraded mode, using parity data to reconstruct missing information on the fly. You must replace the disk ASAP.

8. Does the calculator account for filesystem overhead?

No, the calculator shows raw values. Filesystem overhead (typically 5–10%) may further reduce usable capacity.

9. How is total raw storage calculated?

Total Raw Storage = Number of Disks × Disk Size

10. Is there a performance impact when using RAID 5?

Yes. While read speeds are generally good, write performance may be slower due to parity calculations.

11. What is the difference between RAID 5 and RAID 6?

RAID 6 uses two parity blocks instead of one, allowing it to survive two simultaneous disk failures.

12. Can I expand a RAID 5 array later?

Some hardware and software solutions allow for RAID expansion, but it’s complex and can be risky without full backups.

13. Should I use software or hardware RAID?

Hardware RAID generally offers better performance and features. Software RAID is more cost-effective and flexible for smaller setups.

14. Is RAID 5 a backup solution?

No. RAID 5 provides redundancy but is not a substitute for regular backups.

15. What tools can I use to build a RAID 5 array?

You can use NAS systems (like Synology, QNAP), server RAID cards, or software tools like mdadm on Linux or Storage Spaces on Windows.

16. Why do I need to calculate RAID 5 storage beforehand?

Understanding usable vs. raw storage helps in planning, budgeting, and setting realistic expectations for capacity and redundancy.

17. Can RAID 5 arrays be used in the cloud?

Not directly. Cloud storage providers use more advanced and scalable redundancy models, but the RAID concept is similar.

18. What happens during a rebuild?

During a rebuild, the system uses parity data to restore the lost disk. Performance may degrade, and risk of a second failure increases.

19. Can I switch from RAID 5 to RAID 6 later?

Some systems allow migration from RAID 5 to RAID 6, but it may require temporary downtime and data backup.

20. Does the calculator work on mobile devices?

Yes, the RAID 5 calculator is fully responsive and can be used on smartphones and tablets.

Final Thoughts

The RAID 5 calculator on our site is a reliable, user-friendly tool for quickly assessing how much usable storage you’ll get from your RAID 5 setup. Whether you’re configuring a NAS for home use or managing a data server, understanding these calculations can help you make smarter decisions about your hardware investments.