How Much Memory Can a Floppy Disk Hold?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 11, 2023

Since 1969, there have been three different size floppy disks for computers, each one with different storage limits. The most recently used disks have a hard plastic cover measuring 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. It can hold up to 1.44 MB of data.

The previous disks had a flexible cover and were 5.25 inches by 5.25 inches. Initially, these disks had a memory limit of 360 KB. A few years later they could store 1.2 MB of information. The original floppy disks were 8 inches by 8 inches and had a storage capacity of 800 KB. Most computers now use CDs or DVDs instead of floppy disks.