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Cloud Storage offers four storage classes designed for different access frequencies and cost profiles. All four classes provide the same durability, low latency, and API interface — the difference is in storage cost, retrieval cost, and minimum storage duration.
| Storage Class | Best For | Min Storage Duration | Retrieval Fee | Availability SLA (multi-region) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Frequently accessed ("hot") data | None | None | 99.95% |
| Nearline | Data accessed less than once per month | 30 days | Per GB | 99.9% |
| Coldline | Data accessed less than once per quarter | 90 days | Per GB (higher) | 99.9% |
| Archive | Data accessed less than once per year | 365 days | Per GB (highest) | 99.9% |
As you move from Standard to Archive:
All four classes provide 99.999999999% (eleven 9s) durability — the same level of data protection regardless of class.
Standard is the default storage class and the best choice for data that is frequently accessed or needs the lowest possible latency.
Nearline is designed for data that you plan to access on average less than once per month. It offers a significant storage cost reduction compared to Standard, with a small per-GB retrieval fee.
Coldline is designed for data that you plan to access on average less than once per quarter. It offers further storage cost reductions with a higher retrieval fee.
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