Kubernetes Observability Cost Calculator

Observability is a common surprise line item for Kubernetes. This calculator estimates two typical parts: logs (GB ingested) and metrics (active series). Use it as a baseline and validate with your real data.

1) Logs

Inputs

Ingest volume (GB / day)
If you have measured ingestion, use it directly.
Avg 4.63 Mbps ingest.
Events per second
Avg bytes per event
Tip: sample real log events to avoid guessing.
Billing days (per month)
Ingest price ($ / GB)
Scenario presets

Results

Estimated monthly ingestion cost
$760.00
Monthly ingestion
1,520 GB
Ingestion rate
50 GB/day
Assumption
0.5 $/GB x 30.4 days

2) Metrics

Inputs

Active time series
Cost per 1k series: $0.50
Price ($ / series-month)
Providers define "active series" differently; use the definition in your billing docs.
Scenario presets

Results

Estimated monthly metrics cost
$25.00
Active series
50,000

How to get your inputs

  • Inputs: use billing exports, metrics, or logs to get real counts/GB where possible.
  • Units: convert throughput (Mbps) or rates (RPS) into monthly units when needed.
  • Scenarios: build a baseline and a high-usage scenario to avoid under-budgeting.

Result interpretation

  • Logs and metrics are separate drivers; tune them independently.
  • High-cardinality metrics can outpace logs even at low GB/day.

Common mistakes

  • Using a single average and ignoring peak/incident scenarios.
  • Double-counting or missing adjacent line items (transfer, logs, retries).

Input checklist

  • Estimate log GB/day per namespace or team.
  • Count active series for high-cardinality labels (pod, container, user).
  • Separate baseline ops from incident/debug volume.

Scenario planning

Scenario Log GB/day Active series Drivers
Baseline Expected Expected Normal ops
Peak High High Incident/debug

Validate after changes

  • Compare your estimate to the first real bill and adjust assumptions.
  • Track the primary driver metric (requests/GB/count) over time.

Next steps

Guides All calculators Kubernetes cost calculator CloudWatch Metrics cost Guide: reduce logging costs K8s cost model checklist
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Example scenario

  • Estimate log ingestion from GB/day and a $/GB rate, then estimate metrics cost from active series and $/series-month.
  • High-cardinality labels and verbose logs can quickly multiply costs.

Included

  • Log ingestion cost estimate from GB/day and $/GB assumptions.
  • Metrics time series cost estimate from active series and $/series-month assumptions.

Not included

  • Tracing costs, long-term archive tiers, and premium features unless you model them separately.
  • Query/scan charges (model separately if your vendor bills them).

How we calculate

  • Logs: estimate GB/day and apply your per-GB rate.
  • Metrics: estimate active series and apply your per-series-month rate.
  • Sum line items to get a baseline monthly observability estimate.

FAQ

What is an 'active series'?
A unique metric name + label set. High-cardinality labels can create many series and increase cost.
How do I reduce observability cost?
Reduce noisy logs at source, limit high-cardinality labels, and define retention tiers based on value.

Related tools

Kubernetes cost calculator CloudWatch Metrics cost Guide: reduce logging costs K8s cost model checklist

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Disclaimer

Educational use only. Not legal, financial, or professional advice. Results are estimates based on the inputs and assumptions shown on this page. Verify pricing and limits with your providers and documentation.

Last updated: 2026-01-29