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RAID 6 vs RAID 5 Storage Capacity Calculator

Compare usable capacity, fault tolerance, and efficiency between RAID 6 and RAID 5 for NAS and homelab arrays.

Comparison Notes

This page compares RAID 6 and RAID 5 on identical hardware assumptions to help homelab builders choose between capacity efficiency and fault tolerance.

  • Disk size baseline: 8TB drives
  • Reserve policy: 10% filesystem headroom
  • Use the interactive tool for exact real-world constraints
Open Interactive Planner →

Storage Capacity Table

Drives RAID 6 RAID 5 Delta
4x 8TB 14.40 TB 21.60 TB -7.20 TB
6x 8TB 28.80 TB 36.00 TB -7.20 TB
8x 8TB 43.20 TB 50.40 TB -7.20 TB
10x 8TB 57.60 TB 64.80 TB -7.20 TB
12x 8TB 72.00 TB 79.20 TB -7.20 TB

Related Long-Tail Calculators

2x 4TB RAID 1 2x 6TB RAID 1 2x 8TB RAID 1 2x 10TB RAID 1 2x 12TB RAID 1 2x 14TB RAID 1 2x 16TB RAID 1 2x 18TB RAID 1 2x 20TB RAID 1 3x 4TB RAID 1 3x 4TB RAID 5 3x 4TB RAID-Z1 3x 6TB RAID 1 3x 6TB RAID 5 3x 6TB RAID-Z1 3x 8TB RAID 1

FAQ

Does RAID 6 rebuild faster than RAID 5?

Rebuild behavior depends on array width, disk size, and workload pressure. This page focuses on capacity and tolerance; benchmark your actual platform before final choice.

How should I select between RAID 6 and RAID 5?

Choose based on your risk tolerance, rebuild window, and performance profile. Higher parity usually lowers capacity but improves resilience.

Which has more usable storage headroom: RAID 6 or RAID 5?

This NAS planning scenario compares both modes at fixed drive sizes so you can see usable capacity differences before buying disks.

Which option is usually better for long-term homelab growth?

The better option is the one that keeps acceptable usable capacity while preserving safety margins during future disk expansions.