Tears of the Kingdom File Size: Full Breakdown

The download size for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is 18.2 GB on Nintendo Switch. This is the file size for the digital version of the game, and it also represents the space required on your system or microSD card to install the physical cartridge version.

Formula

The calculator works out two related values from a finish time and distance:

• Average pace = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km). The result is in minutes per kilometre.
• Average speed = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (min) ÷ 60). The result is in kilometres per hour.

Variables:

• t – finish time in minutes
• d – distance in kilometres
• pace – minutes per kilometre (min/km)
• speed – kilometres per hour (km/h)

Worked Example

Using the default values: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

The calculator displays an average pace of 5.00 min/km and an average speed of 12.00 km/h.

Why File Size Matters on Switch

The Nintendo Switch has 32 GB of internal storage, but the operating system and pre-installed software take up a portion of that. In practice, users have roughly 25–26 GB free out of the box. Since Tears of the Kingdom requires 18.2 GB, it fits on a stock console, but only just. If you also have other games, screenshots, or DLC installed, you will likely need to free up space or use a microSD card.

For physical copies, the game card contains the base data, but the console still installs a portion of the game (often updates and patches) to internal storage or the microSD card. The 18.2 GB figure is the total install footprint, so even cartridge owners need that much free space.

How to Check Your Available Space

To see how much free space you have on your Switch:

1. From the HOME menu, select System Settings (the gear icon).
2. Scroll down to Data Management.
3. Select Console Memory or microSD Card to see used and free space.

If you need more room, you can archive games you aren’t currently playing (they remain on your account and can be re-downloaded later) or delete screenshots/videos. Archiving is a safer option than deleting because you don’t lose your save data.

Common Misconceptions

One frequent misunderstanding is that the physical version doesn’t require any download. While the game card includes the full base game, day-one patches and updates are downloaded separately. For Tears of the Kingdom, the version 1.0 on the card is playable, but the update patch (which is included in the 18.2 GB total) adds fixes and improvements. So even physical owners need enough free space for the update.

Another misconception: “18.2 GB� is the same as “18.2 GB� in decimal, but the Switch uses the same unit (GB) as most storage devices. Some people confuse GB with GiB (gibibytes), but Nintendo and most retailers use decimal GB. The difference is small (about 7% in this case) and doesn’t change practical storage planning.

Comparison with Other Major Switch Games

To give context, here are approximate file sizes for other popular Switch titles (digital versions):

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 14.4 GB
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 16.1 GB
• Pokémon Scarlet/Violet – 10 GB
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 6.2 GB

Tears of the Kingdom is one of the largest first-party Switch games, but it’s not the largest (that title goes to NBA 2K series, which can exceed 30 GB).

How to Free Up Space

If you’re short on space, here are practical steps:

• Archive games – Go to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive. This removes the game data but keeps your save files.
• Delete screenshots and videos – These can accumulate quickly. You can transfer them to a PC or phone via the Album app.
• Move games to a microSD card – If you have a card, you can move compatible games from internal storage to the card. Note that some save data cannot be moved, but game data can.
• Use a larger microSD card – The Switch supports cards up to 2 TB (though 1 TB is common). A 128 GB card is usually enough for several large games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 18.2 GB the same for the physical version?

Yes, the total install size is the same. The physical cartridge contains the base game, but the system still installs updates and patches that take up space. The 18.2 GB figure is the total storage footprint after installation.

Can I play Tears of the Kingdom with only 16 GB free?

No, you need at least 18.2 GB free. If you have less, the download or installation will fail. You’ll need to free up space or use a microSD card.

Does the game require a day-one patch?

Yes, there was a day-one patch (version 1.1.0) that addressed various issues. The patch is included in the 18.2 GB total if you download the digital version. For physical copies, the patch is a separate download, but the total space required is the same.

How many hours does it take to download 18.2 GB?

It depends on your internet speed. At 50 Mbps (megabits per second), it would take about 50 minutes. At 100 Mbps, about 25 minutes. At 10 Mbps, it would take over 4 hours. The Switch’s download speed is also limited by its Wi-Fi hardware, which is slower than modern phones.

Can I move the game to a microSD card after downloading?

Yes, you can move game data between internal storage and a microSD card. Go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between Console/microSD Card. Note that some data (like save files) cannot be moved, but the game data can.

Will the file size increase with future updates?

It’s possible. Many games receive updates that add content or fixes, which can increase the total size. For example, Breath of the Wild grew from about 13.4 GB to 14.4 GB after its DLC. So it’s wise to keep some extra space free.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2