Minimum label versus proven card
GoPro specifies V30 or UHS-3 for HERO11 and HERO13. The rating is only a starting requirement: buy a current card model from GoPro’s recommended list and a trustworthy seller, then format and stress-test it in the camera.
Bitrate-based estimates
Recording size in GB/hour is approximately bitrate in Mb/s × 0.45. This uses decimal gigabytes and excludes filesystem overhead and bitrate variation.
| Bitrate | Approx. GB/hour | 64 GB theoretical | 128 GB theoretical | 256 GB theoretical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Mb/s | 27 GB | 142 min | 284 min | 569 min |
| 100 Mb/s | 45 GB | 85 min | 171 min | 341 min |
| 120 Mb/s | 54 GB | 71 min | 142 min | 284 min |
These are upper-bound estimates.
Usable capacity is lower than the label; variable bitrate, metadata, filesystem allocation and reserved space alter real duration.
Chaptering is normal
Long recordings are split into sequential MP4 chapter files. Preserve the full sequence and original filenames. Some software links GoPro chapters automatically; a missing middle file creates a time gap.
Track-day storage practice
- Carry two tested cards rather than one unverified large card.
- Back up before formatting in-camera.
- Leave capacity for an extra session and unexpected red flags.
- Copy original MP4/LRV/THM files before processing.
Sources
- HERO11 specificationsOfficial 120 Mb/s maximum and V30/UHS-3 requirement
- HERO13 specificationsOfficial card-class requirement