Technical guide
How BigQuery on-demand pricing works
Calculate query cost from bytes scanned and understand the difference between logical storage and analysis charges.
Updated 2026-09-05 · Data verified2026-09-05
Query-cost formula
On-demand analysis cost is billable tebibytes processed multiplied by the regional analysis rate after applicable free usage. At $6.25/TiB, scanning 5 TiB after a 1 TiB allowance produces 4 billable TiB, or $25. Repeated scans repeat the charge unless cached results or another exemption applies.
Storage is separate
BigQuery storage is measured independently from bytes processed by queries. Logical and physical billing models use different measurements, and active versus long-term data can have different rates. Do not multiply database size by the query rate.
Before forecasting
Use query dry runs or validation to inspect estimated bytes. Confirm project billing model, location, free-tier eligibility, minimum billed data, editions reservations, streaming, BI Engine, Omni, and transfer usage separately.