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DVD capacity depends on how many sides and recording layers a disc has: common formats range from 4.7 GB for a single-sided, single-layer DVD-5 to 17 GB for a double-sided, dual-layer DVD-18. Those are decimal gigabytes; a computer may display a smaller number in binary gibibytes (GiB). A DVD’s capacity also does not translate to a fixed video runtime, because encoding and bitrate affect how much footage fits.
DVD capacity by format
The number in a DVD format name reflects its approximate capacity in gigabytes: DVD-5 is about 5 GB, DVD-9 about 9 GB, and so on. The actual configurations and nominal capacities are:
| Format | Sides | Layers | Nominal capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| DVD-5 | 1 | 1 | 4.7 GB |
| DVD-9 | 1 | 2 | 8.5 GB |
| DVD-10 | 2 | 1 per side | 9.4 GB total |
| DVD-18 | 2 | 2 per side | 17 GB total |
NASA’s Planetary Data System lists the DVD-5, DVD-9 and DVD-10 capacities in its media-format reference. Sony’s DVD capacity table lists all four configurations, including DVD-18.
What the format names mean
DVD-5: one side, one layer
A DVD-5 has one readable side and one data layer, with a nominal capacity of 4.7 GB. It is the familiar single-sided, single-layer format.
#1 Best Overall
- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 16X for fast, efficient burning with compatible DVD-R hardware.
- WIDE DVD COMPATIBILITY: Read compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players for convenient recording and playback.
- AZO RECORDING DYE: Optimized recording dye provides reliable read/write performance for home movies, video clips, files, and backups.
- 50-PACK SPINDLE: Includes 50 branded-surface, write-once DVD-R discs and a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
DVD-9: one side, two layers
A DVD-9 keeps the data on one side but uses two layers, providing 8.5 GB. A compatible drive reads both layers from the same side; you do not flip the disc to reach the second layer.
DVD-10: two sides, one layer on each
A DVD-10 has a single layer on each of its two sides, for 9.4 GB total. To access the other side, you must turn the disc over. That makes it double-sided, not dual-layer.
Rank #2
- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 16X for fast, efficient burning with compatible DVD-R hardware.
- WRITE-ONCE RECORDING: Provides reliable storage for photos, videos, documents, backups, and other important digital content.
- AZO AND HARDCOAT PROTECTION: AZO technology resists UV light, while the water-resistant HardCoat surface guards against scratches, fingerprints, dust, temperature, and humidity.
- 10-PACK MATTE SILVER DISCS: Includes 10 matte-silver DVD-R discs designed to last up to 100 years when stored properly and backed by a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
DVD-18: two sides, two layers on each
A DVD-18 has two data layers on both sides, with a nominal total capacity of 17 GB. It is both double-sided and dual-layer.
Dual-layer and double-sided are different
“Dual-layer” describes two data layers on a single side. “Double-sided” means data is stored on both faces of the disc. A DVD-9 is dual-layer but single-sided; a DVD-10 is double-sided but has only one layer per side. DVD-18 combines both properties. This distinction matters when choosing a disc or checking drive compatibility: the drive and media must support the intended format.
Rank #3
- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Record a complete disc in approximately five minutes using compatible 16X DVD-R hardware.
- WIDE DVD COMPATIBILITY: Read compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players and supports DVD-R writers from leading manufacturers.
- ADVANCED AZO RECORDING DYE: Optimized recording dye delivers reliable read/write performance, recording quality, and archival life.
- 25-PACK SPINDLE: Includes 25 branded-surface, write-once DVD-R discs and a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Why a 4.7 GB DVD may show about 4.38 GiB
Disc capacity labels typically use decimal units: 1 GB equals 1,000,000,000 bytes. Some operating systems and utilities report the same byte count using binary gibibytes, where 1 GiB equals 1,073,741,824 bytes. As a result, 4.7 GB is approximately 4.38 GiB, and 8.5 GB is approximately 7.92 GiB. Primera Technology provides these conversions in its DVD capacity explanation. The smaller displayed figure reflects a different unit, not missing disc space.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much video fits on a DVD?
Capacity alone cannot tell you how many minutes or hours of video a DVD will hold. Runtime depends on the video’s compression and bitrate, as well as space used by audio tracks, menus and other authored content. Higher-bitrate video generally uses more storage per minute, so less footage fits. Any published runtime estimate is conditional on its encoding assumptions, not a guaranteed property of DVD-5 or DVD-9. CD Baby Manufacturing discusses this limitation in its DVD capacity guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 100 high-grade non-rewritable DVD+R discs with a one hundred year archival life and OEM drive certified
- Advanced AZO recording dye optimizes read/write performance allowing to record in approximately 5 minutes
- 4.7GB is ideal for storing digital images, music , video and more. Each DVD+R allows you to store up to 1550 photos or more than 120 minutes of 720p video
- Compatible with most DVD-R and DVD+R drives including Pioneer, Apple, Sony, Dell, LG, HP, Lenovo and others
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
Rank #4
- 8.5GB OR 240-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each single-sided DVD+R DL disc stores up to 8.5GB or approximately four hours of high-quality video—twice the capacity of a standard recordable DVD.
- UP TO 8X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 8X for fast, reliable burning with compatible DVD+R DL writers.
- WIDE DVD COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with supported dual-layer writers and ready for playback with most standard DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.
- RELIABLE WRITE-ONCE FORMAT: Helps preserve movies, music, photos, backups, and other important files from accidental erasure.
- 25-PACK SPINDLE: Includes 25 Verbatim LifeSeries DVD+R DL discs and a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Choosing or checking a DVD format
- For a disc’s maximum nominal capacity, identify both its side count and layer count; a larger format is not necessarily double-sided.
- For an optical drive or blank recordable disc, confirm support for the specific format. Dual-layer recording media, such as DVD+R DL or DVD-R DL, requires a burner that supports that media type.
- If a computer’s reported capacity looks lower than the package figure, check whether the display uses GB or GiB before treating the difference as a problem.
- For video projects, estimate storage from the encoding settings and authored content rather than assuming a fixed number of minutes per disc.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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