The Nintendo Switch comes with 32 GB of built-in storage, but you can only use about 26 GB for games and saves

The Nintendo Switch has 32 gigabytes of storage built in, but the system itself takes up roughly 6 GB, leaving you with about 26 GB of usable space. That sounds like enough until you start downloading games — most modern Switch titles take between 5 GB and 15 GB each, which means you can fit only a handful of full games before running out of room.

Nintendo games tend to be smaller than games on PlayStation or Xbox, but even modest titles add up fast. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is 18.2 GB. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is 7.6 GB. If you want to keep more than two or three games installed at once, you will need extra storage.

Key Takeaways

  • The Switch's 32 GB of built-in storage leaves about 26 GB usable after the system takes its share, enough for only two or three modern games.
  • A microSD card (64 GB to 512 GB) is the only way to add storage, and the Switch reads from it at the same speed as built-in storage.
  • Games you own digitally stay tied to your account, so you can delete them and reinstall them later without buying again.
  • Physical game cartridges do not use internal storage, so buying physical copies is the cheapest way to own more games without expanding storage.

MicroSD cards are the only way to add storage

The Nintendo Switch accepts microSD cards in sizes up to 512 GB, and you can swap them out whenever you want. A 64 GB card costs around $10 to $15, a 256 GB card runs $20 to $30, and a 512 GB card is typically $40 to $60, though prices vary by retailer and brand. The Switch reads from a microSD card at the same speed as its built-in storage, so performance does not change.

You do not need the largest card available. A 128 GB or 256 GB card gives you room for 10 to 20 games depending on their size, which is enough for most people. If you play a lot of different games or download many indie titles, a 512 GB card lets you keep your entire library installed without deleting anything.

The Switch OLED model and the Switch Lite use the same microSD slot and accept the same cards. Only the original Switch docking station has a microSD card slot built into the dock itself — the handheld unit has the slot on the side, under the kickstand.

Digital games stay with your account, so you can delete and reinstall them

When you buy a game digitally through the Nintendo eShop, it is tied to your Nintendo account, not to the Switch console itself. You can delete any game to free up space, and you can download it again later without paying a second time. This means you do not have to keep every game installed — you can manage your storage by deleting games you are not playing right now.

The catch is that reinstalling a large game takes time. A 15 GB game on a decent internet connection might take 30 minutes to an hour to download. If you play games in rotation, you might spend a lot of time waiting for downloads. A microSD card solves this by giving you room to keep more games installed at once.

Physical cartridges use no internal storage

If you buy Nintendo Switch games on physical cartridges, they do not take up any of your internal storage or microSD card space. The game runs directly from the cartridge. This is the most storage-efficient way to own games, and it is also the only way to own a game permanently — digital games are tied to your account and Nintendo's servers, while a cartridge is yours to keep, sell, or trade.

Physical cartridges typically cost $5 to $10 more than digital versions at launch, but used cartridges are often cheaper than the digital price. If storage is your main concern, buying physical is worth considering, especially for games you plan to keep installed long-term.

Game size varies widely, from under 1 GB to over 20 GB

Nintendo's own games tend to be on the smaller side. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is 5.3 GB. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is 7.1 GB. Indie games are often much smaller — Hollow Knight is 3.7 GB, and many indie titles are under 2 GB. Third-party ports of larger games can be much bigger: The Witcher 3 is 32 GB, and some versions of Doom are around 20 GB.

Before you buy a game digitally, check its file size on the eShop listing. This helps you decide whether you have room or whether you should delete something first. Sizes also vary slightly by region, so the number you see might not be exact.

Save files take almost no space

Your game saves are stored separately from the games themselves and use only a tiny amount of storage — usually a few megabytes per game. Even if you have 100 games with saves, your save data will take up less than 1 GB total. You do not need to worry about save files filling up your storage.

Save data is backed up to the cloud if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, so you can recover your saves if something happens to your console. Without a subscription, saves are only stored on the console itself.

The Switch OLED model has the same storage as the original

The Nintendo Switch OLED model also comes with 32 GB of built-in storage and the same usable space of about 26 GB. The only difference is the screen — the OLED model has a larger, brighter display. Storage capacity is identical, so if you own an OLED Switch, you still need a microSD card to store more than a few games.

The Switch Lite, which is a handheld-only version without a dock, also has 32 GB of storage and accepts the same microSD cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a regular SD card instead of a microSD card?

No. The Nintendo Switch only accepts microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards. A full-size SD card will not fit in the slot. You need a microSD card, which is much smaller.

What happens if my microSD card fills up?

The Switch will not let you download a game if there is not enough space. You will see an error message telling you to free up storage. You can delete games, move them to a different microSD card, or buy a larger card.

Do I lose my games if I remove the microSD card?

Games on the microSD card stay on that card. If you remove the card, you cannot play those games until you put the card back in. Your digital games are still tied to your account, so you can reinstall them on a different card or console later.

Is a 512 GB microSD card worth it?

A 512 GB card is worth it only if you download a lot of games and want to keep your entire library installed. For most players, a 128 GB or 256 GB card is enough and costs less. A 64 GB card works if you only play a few games at a time and do not mind deleting and reinstalling.

Can I use the same microSD card on multiple Switch consoles?

Yes, you can move a microSD card between Switch consoles. The games on it stay the same, but you can only play them if you are logged into the account that bought them. Each console can have multiple accounts, so you can share games within a household by using the same card and account.