When setting up a Raspberry Pi, one of the most common questions is: What size SD card do I need? Since Raspberry Pi computers don’t have built-in storage, the SD card serves as both the boot drive and storage for the operating system, apps, and project files. Choosing the right SD card size and type is crucial for performance and reliability.
What Size SD Card can be used for Raspberry Pi?
The recommended SD card size depends on the Raspberry Pi model and how you plan to use it. Here’s a breakdown:
For basic projects and OS only: 16GB – 32GB is enough.
For media centers, AI, and IoT applications: 64GB – 128GB is ideal.
For heavy storage needs (gaming, data logging, etc.): 128GB – 256GB is best.
Important: Raspberry Pi officially supports SD cards up to 256GB, but anything over 128GB may require additional formatting and configuration.
Not all SD cards are created equal! To ensure fast performance and reliability, choose an SDHC or SDXC microSD card with at least Class 10 speed.
Recommended SD card specs for Raspberry Pi:
Type: MicroSD (SDHC or SDXC)
Speed class: Class 10 or UHS-1/UHS-3
Capacity: 16GB – 128GB (depending on your project)
Brand: SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, or other high-quality brands
Avoid These SD Cards:
Slow microSD cards (Class 4 or lower) – They will make Raspberry Pi sluggish.
Bad quality SD cards – Always buy from reputable sources to avoid unreliable storage.
Non-MicroSD cards – Standard SD cards won’t fit Raspberry Pi models (except Pi 1).
Officially Recommended SD Cards:
Raspberry Pi officially recommends the following SD cards for best performance:
- SanDisk Ultra (16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB)
- Samsung EVO Select / EVO Plus (32GB, 64GB, 128GB)
- Kingston Canvas Select Plus (32GB, 64GB, 128GB)
How to check compatibility?
To ensure your SD card is compatible:
Use an SDXC or SDHC microSD card (not older SD formats).
Make sure it’s at least Class 10 for speed.
Check the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s recommended list (updated periodically).
Choosing the Right SD Card for Raspberry Pi
Here’s a quick summary of the options we presented in this guide:
- For Raspberry Pi 3 & 4 → 32GB – 128GB Class 10 MicroSD (UHS-1 or UHS-3).
- For Raspberry Pi 5 → 64GB – 256GB for optimal performance.
- For lightweight projects → 16GB – 32GB works fine.
Do you want to build Raspberry Pi solutions? You can get in contact with our team!
More Raspberry Pi articles:
