Exchange database size recommendations

Updated on February 13, 2021
Exchange
2 Comments

You need to know the Exchange database size limit and recommendations for running an optimal Exchange Server 2016/2019 environment. The Exchange database recommended size is important to know. For example, you want to consult or architect a new configuration to the existing Exchange environment. In this article, you will learn the Exchange database size best practice.

Table of contents

Exchange database size recommendations 2016/2019

The Exchange database size recommendations are as follow:

Exchange High Availability (replicated) a maximum of 2000 GB (2 TB) per database
Exchange Standalone (non-replicated) a maximum of 200 GB per database

By replicated, we mean a Database Availability Group (DAG).

Exchange database recommended size explained

It’s about recovery time. The restore of a database will take longer if the size of a database is big. A smaller database in size will be faster to restore. For example, you have a 100 GB database and 1000 GB database in size. Both of them did fail and you need to restore both databases from your back-up. Which database is faster to restore and put back online? The answer: the Exchange database that is smaller in size.

Exchange database size limit 2016/2019

Exchange got two editions, this is the Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition. It’s good to read the article, Exchange Server 2016 Edition comparison for more information.

Exchange Server Standard Edition

Maximum of 5 mounted databases per server
Database size limit is 1 TB (1024 GB)

Exchange Server Enterprise Edition

Maximum of 100 mounted databases per server
Database size limit is 16 TB (16384 GB)

Keep reading: Exchange database best practices »

Conclusion

To sum it up, you did learn the Exchange database size recommendations. Now that you do know the Exchange database size best practice, will you be changing your Exchange environment? Keep the databases smaller than 200 GB on a standalone Exchange Server and 2000 GB if it’s a DAG configured Exchange Server. Always keep the Exchange database size limit in mind. Did you enjoy this article? If so, you may like Get mailbox database size and white space. Don’t forget to follow us and share this article.

ALI TAJRAN

ALI TAJRAN is a passionate IT Architect, IT Consultant, and Microsoft Certified Trainer. He started Information Technology at a very young age, and his goal is to teach and inspire others. Read more »

This Post Has 2 Comments

Jhon Herrera says:

March 16, 2021 at 02:43

Hi,
Thanks for the post, i have one question:
What is the maximum number of mailboxes per database?
It is possible to limit the number of mailboxes per database?

Reply
1. ALI TAJRAN says:
  
  March 17, 2021 at 23:11
  
  Hi Jhon,
  
  1. There is no limit of maximum mailboxes per database
  2. There is no maximum number of mailboxes per database
  
  When you create mailboxes, you can add them to a specific mailbox database, move them to another mailbox database or exclude the mailbox database from creating new mailboxes.
  
  I hope this helps!
  
  Reply