# Extra storage and spending cap (/docs/billing/extra-storage)

## How storage is counted [#how-storage-is-counted]

Storage is the total compressed, encrypted size of your successful backups in backupd Storage. Copies in your own buckets don't count. Your current usage is shown under **Usage** in **Settings → Billing**.

## Extra storage [#extra-storage]

When you use more than your plan includes, backups keep running and the extra is billed per GB:

| Plan    | Included | Extra storage |
| ------- | -------- | ------------- |
| Starter | 50 GB    | $0.10 per GB  |
| Pro     | 150 GB   | $0.08 per GB  |

Extra storage is counted in whole GB, rounded up. **Estimated this period** on the billing page shows your plan price plus the extra storage so far.

## Storage alerts [#storage-alerts]

backupd alerts you at **80%** and at **100%** of your included storage, once each per billing period. The alerts go to your [notification channels](/docs/notifications) and by email to the workspace's owners and admins. The usage badge on the billing page shows **Healthy**, **Above 80%**, **Billing overage** or a paused state.

## Spending cap [#spending-cap]

A spending cap is a hard budget for extra storage each billing period. When it is reached, new backups pause and you're alerted. You're never billed past it.

1. Open **Settings → Billing**, under **Spending cap**.
2. Turn on **Cap overage spending**.
3. Enter the **Maximum extra spend per month** in dollars. The page shows how many GB beyond your included storage that allows.
4. Click **Save**.

There is no cap until you set one. A spending cap needs a paid plan or an active trial.

### When the cap is reached [#when-the-cap-is-reached]

- New backups stop, scheduled and manual. Pressing **Backup now** shows _Spending cap reached. Upgrade or raise your spending cap to back up._
- The **Spending cap reached** event goes to your notification channels.
- Existing backups stay available to download and restore.
- Backups resume once you raise the cap, remove it, or retention frees enough space.

## Use less storage [#use-less-storage]

- Shorten retention in each database's **Settings** tab.
- Back up less often.
- Delete backups you don't need.

See [Schedules and retention](/docs/databases/schedules-and-retention).