What is the max size SD card for GoPro?

To consistently achieve the best results with your GoPro camera it is important to select microSD cards that are known to work well with your camera. We recommend only purchasing name-brand SD cards through official resellers.
 

CameraMinimum RequirementsRecommended SD Cards
HERO11 Black
HERO10 Black
HERO10 Black Bones
microSD card with v30 or UHS-3 rating Sandisk Extreme, Extreme Plus, Extreme Pro: 32/64/128/256/512GB

Lexar Professional 1066x Silver Series: 64/128/256/512GB

Samsung EVO Plus, EVO Select, EVO PRO Plus: 128/256/512GB

ADATA Premiere Pro: 512GB

Gigastone A1 and A2: 128/256GB

HERO9 Black
HERO8 Black
MAX
HERO7 Black and older cameras (* See exceptions below)
microSD card with at least Class 10 or UHS-1 rating

*Additional Information

  • HERO4 and HERO Session: Support up to a 128GB microSD card.
  • HERO3 Black, HERO3+, HERO+, and HERO+ LCD: Support up to a 64GB microSD card.
  • HERO (2014): Supports up to a 32GB microSD card.
  • HD HERO2: Requires a Class 10 SD card up to 32 GB. 
  • HD HERO Original & HD HERO 960: Require a Class 4 SD card up to 32 GB.
  • Standard Definition HERO: Support up to a 2GB standard SD memory card. 

Best SD Card Practices

For best results while recording and saving media, we recommend that you delete the files from your SD card (referred to as formatting your SD card) frequently. Do this process using the format/delete all options in your GoPro settings. For instructions on formatting your SD card with your specific camera, please check out this article.

Here’s a question we’re asked a lot on our Facebook group “GoPro Hero Community”: Which MicroSD card is the best for a GoPro? Well, there’s no simple answer to this question. This is because not all SD cards match the requirements to ensure a fast playback and recording of high-resolution and high frame rate videos (eg. 4k at 60fps). Also, when it comes to the size of the SD card, different GoPro models support different storage size ranges.

In this article, we have tried to make things easy for you if you’re looking for an SD card for your GoPro Hero camera, but are confused about which size and model to choose from.

Are you ready?

What is the max size SD card for GoPro?

Compatible microSD Card Sizes for Different GoPro Models


First and foremost, you must bear in mind that all GoPro devices require a minimum of a Class 10 Storage Card. But Class 10 SD cards come in multiple storage sizes. Here’s the list of SD Card sizes compatible with different GoPro models.

SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 10 Black

  • GoPro recommends that you use a microSD card with a minimum of v30 or UHS-3 rating. It supports up to 512 GB storage size.

SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 9 Black

  • GoPro Hero 9 Black supports microSD cards of up to 512 GB storage size.

SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 8 Black & GoPro Max

  • Both GoPro Hero 8 Black & GoPro Max support microSD cards of storage size up to 256 GB.

SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 7 Black / Silver / White

  • You can use microSD cards up to 256GB with GoPro Hero 7 Black.
  • The Silver and White variants of Hero 7 are compatible with cards only up to 128GB.

SD Card Size for GoPro Hero (2018), Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Fusion, Hero 4 (Black & Silver) & Session Cameras

  • All these GoPros: GoPro Hero (2018), Hero 6 Black, Hero 5 Black, Fusion, Hero 4 (Black & Silver) & Session support microSD cards with storage size up to 128GB.

SD Card Size for GoPro Hero 3, Hero 3+, Hero+ & Hero+ LCD

  • MicroSD cards up to 64GB are compatible with GoPro Hero 3, Hero 3+, Hero+ & Hero+ LCD.

SD Card Size for GoPro Hero (2014) and older

  • For GoPro Hero (2014) and older models, you can use microSD cards with storage size only up to 32GB.

Various considerations need to be taken into account when choosing the best microSD card to suit your needs, including: capacity, write speeds, reliability, and cost.

Capacity (or card type) includes two relevant options: SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDXC (Secure Digital extended Capacity). The only major difference between the two is the 32GB threshold. SDHC cards are found in 32GB and lower capacity, and SDXC are typically 64GB and above.

Next, you need consider write speed or speed class of the microSD card for your GoPro. While the company recommends a minimum of Class 10, the newer Class 10 cards may also have a UHS (Ultra high Speed) or VSC (Video Speed Class) classification. However, these multiple ratings can prove to be a bit confusing.

In this video you can find a review of 3 recommended cards for GoPro…

So, here are the two micro SD cards that GoPro officially recommends for some of its latest models:

SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD Card

What is the max size SD card for GoPro?

SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC...

  • Up to 160MB/s read speeds to save time transferring high res images and 4K UHD...
  • Up to 90MB/s write speeds for fast shooting; Requires compatible devices capable of...
  • 4K UHD and Full HD Ready with UHS speed class 3 (U3) and video speed class 30 (V30)

This one is our top recommended microSD card for GoPro! The SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD Card is the most popular microSD card out there for a reason. It’s a perfect choice for your GoPro Hero 9 action camera with its amazing write speeds of up to 90 MB/s and read speeds of up to 160 MB/s. With such speeds, you can easily capture Full HD, and 4K video, as well as raw and burst photography with your GoPro.

Available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB and 1TB sizes, the SanDisk Extreme microSD Card is ideal for recording extreme sports and other fast-action activities. GoPro themselves often bundle their cameras with SanDisk Extreme microSD card and sell it on their official website GoPro.com. The company also officially recommends this card in their “Works with GoPro” certification program.

SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I Card

SALE

What is the max size SD card for GoPro?

SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC...

  • Shot speeds up to 90MB/s, transfer speeds up to 170MB/s [requires a compatible device...
  • Perfect for shooting 4K UHD video (1) and sequential burst mode photography, (1)Full...
  • Capture uninterrupted video with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and video Speed Class 30...

The SanDisk Extreme Pro provides top notch read (up to 170 MB/s) and write speeds (up to 90MB/s), making it one of the fastest microSD cards around. That’s more than enough for burst mode photography, 4K video recording and many other great features of your GoPro. It comes in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1 TB variants.

While you won’t be able to take full advantage of its speed even with the latest GoPro Hero 9, a lot of people like to use their cards in multiple devices. So, this microSD card will give you great performance in other cameras, drones or Android phones too.

Number of Shots / Footage With Different SD Card Sizes


Here are the estimated number of photos/footage duration you can fit on various sizes of memory cards. Please note that these are just the estimates that can be useful as guides in order to let you have an idea of what to expect from each size variant.

How Long Can a 32GB SD Card Record?

  • Number of Pictures: 12,157
  • 5K (30fps) Video: 48 Mins
  • 4K (60fps) Video: 48 Mins.
  • 2.7K (120fps) Video: 48 Mins.
  • 2.7K (60fps) Video: 1:00 Hr.
  • 1080p (120fps) Video: 1:00 Hr.
  • 1080p (60fps) Video: 1:19 Hrs.
  • 720p (60fps) Video: 1:19 Hrs.
  • 720p (50fps) Video: 1:55 Hrs.

How Long Can a 64GB SD Card Record?

  • Number of Pictures: 24,337
  • 5K (30fps) Video: 1:37 Hrs.
  • 4K (60fps) Video: 1:37 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (120fps) Video: 1:37 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (60fps) Video: 2:06 Hrs.
  • 1080p (120fps) Video: 2:06 Hrs.
  • 1080p (60fps) Video: 2:38 Hrs.
  • 720p (60fps) Video: 2:38 Hrs.
  • 720p (50fps) Video: 3:50 Hrs.

How Long Can a 128GB SD Card Record?

  • Number of Pictures: 48,960
  • 5K (30fps) Video: 3:15 Hrs.
  • 4K (60fps) Video: 3:15 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (120fps) Video: 3:15 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (60fps) Video: 4:02 Hrs.
  • 1080p (120fps) Video: 4:02 Hrs.
  • 1080p (60fps) Video: 5:18 Hrs.
  • 720p (60fps) Video: 5:18 Hrs.
  • 720p (50fps) Video: 7:43 Hrs.

How Long Can a 256GB SD Card Record?

  • Number of Pictures: 97920
  • 5K (30fps) Video: 6:30 Hrs.
  • 4K (60fps) Video: 6:30 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (120fps) Video: 6:30 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (60fps) Video: 8:00 Hrs.
  • 1080p (120fps) Video: 8:00 Hrs.
  • 1080p (60fps) Video: 10:36 Hrs.
  • 720p (60fps) Video: 10:36 Hrs.
  • 720p (50fps) Video: 15:26 Hrs.

How Long Can a 512GB SD Card Record?

  • Number of Pictures: 195840
  • 5K (30fps) Video: 13:00 Hrs.
  • 4K (60fps) Video: 13:00 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (120fps) Video: 13:00 Hrs.
  • 2.7K (60fps) Video: 16:00 Hrs.
  • 1080p (120fps) Video: 16:00 Hrs.
  • 1080p (60fps) Video: 21:12 Hrs.
  • 720p (60fps) Video: 21:12 Hrs.
  • 720p (50fps) Video: 30:52 Hrs.

Final Words


I hope that this article answers your question: What SD card size is best for my GoPro? Short answer: it really depends on the model you’re using and the length of videos you are planning to record along with their resolution and frame rate. If you are not planning on recording long 4K videos, then 32 GB or 64 GB SD cards will be enough. Otherwise, consider buying an SD card with a larger storage capacity (at least 128 GB).

Thanks for reading 🙏

I hope this guide helped you learn about the GoPro SD Card sizes and how long can they record.  🙂

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Can a GoPro use a 1TB SD card?

Yes, in the new models of GoPro cameras you can use 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, and even 1TB microSD cards.

What is the largest SD card for GoPro 10?

This card is rated for V30 and has a UHS-I interface. It's available in sizes ranging from 16GB up to 512GB--again, the 128GB to 512GB sizes are probably the sweet spot for the HERO10/9 Black cameras. It comes with an SD adapter.

How long will 128GB last on GoPro?

A: When shooting in 5K and using a 128GB SD card, you should get about 4 hours and 12 minutes of recording time on that card. For the other cards, you can multiply that time based on the size of the card you're using.

Is 256GB enough for GoPro?

A 256GB SD card is more than most people will ever require. On your phone, it should be able to capture about 50,400 images. And on a GoPro shooting at 12MP, it will theoretically be able to take 60,960 images.