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Xbox Series X and S storage

An Xbox Series console has two places that can run its newest games: the SSD inside, and the slot made for an expansion card. A USB drive can keep them, but not play them.

The quick answer

A 512 GB Series S has about 364 GB free: about three games of 100 GB each, since 364 divided by 100 is 3.6. A Series X, with about 802 GB free, holds about eight. Check our game install sizes before you plan your library.

Card or USB drive?

  • To play Xbox Series X and S games from extra storage, you need an expansion card in the slot made for it.
  • A USB drive is fine for keeping games you are not playing right now, and it can run older Xbox games.
  • Expansion cards come in several sizes from two makers, listed below, so you can match the card to your library.

Good to know

  • The Xbox Series X has a 1 TB SSD, with about 802 GB free for games.1,2,3
  • The 512 GB Xbox Series S has about 364 GB free.1,2
  • A 1 TB Xbox Series S, in black, launched on September 1, 2023.1,4
  • Xbox Series X and S games play only from the internal SSD or an expansion card. A USB drive can store them, and it can play older Xbox games.1,3
  • Expansion cards are made by Seagate (512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB since June 2025) and by Western Digital (the WD_Black C50, up to 1 TB).5,6,7,8

How we checked this page

Checked on October 17, 2026. We kept a fact only when two independent publishers agree, and each one is numbered to its sources below. Sizes change with game updates, so each one keeps its year. We never write a price. This page was written with an AI assistant and checked against the sources below.

Sources

  1. Xbox Series X and Series S, Wikipedia
  2. Xbox Series S has 364 GB usable space, GameSpot
  3. Xbox Series X storage: everything you need to know, TechRadar
  4. Microsoft announces Xbox Series S Carbon Black with 1TB, Thurrott
  5. Your Xbox can now store everything: Seagate 4TB expansion card, Windows Central
  6. Seagate unveils the first 4TB Storage Expansion Card, CGMagazine
  7. WD Black C50 expansion card review, TechRadar
  8. WD gives Seagate a run for its money with Xbox expansion cards, HotHardware