---
title: "Volumes FAQ"
description: "Short answers about Block Storage volumes, sizes, IOPS, snapshots, encryption, detaching, and billing, each linking to the full page."
content_type: "faq"
product: "volumes"
platform: "MyAccount"
url: "/myaccount/volumes/faq/"
---

# Volumes FAQ

## What is a volume?

A volume is a disk that attaches to one of your nodes and gives it a file system it can read and
write like a local drive. It is faster than reaching an Object Storage bucket over the network.
See [Block Storage](/myaccount/volumes/).

## What sizes can a volume be?

From 100 GB to 16 TB. You choose the size on a slider when you create the volume. See
[Create a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/create-a-volume/).

## How are IOPS decided?

IOPS are bundled with the volume and set for you at 15 IOPS per GB of size, up to 240,000, fixed
when you create the volume. See [Create a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/create-a-volume/).

## Can I attach a volume to any node?

A volume attaches to a node that is **Powered off** or **Running**. See
[Attach a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/attach-a-volume/).

## Does attaching a volume make it usable on the node?

No. Attaching exposes the volume as a new disk; you then format and mount it inside the node's
operating system. See [Mount a volume on Linux](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/mount-a-volume-on-linux/)
or [Mount a volume on Windows](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/mount-a-volume-on-windows/).

## Does detaching a volume stop billing for it?

No. You are billed for the volume until you delete it. See [Detach a
volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/detach-a-volume/).

## Can I delete a volume that is attached to a node?

No. Detach it first, then delete it. See [Delete a
volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/delete-a-volume/).

## Can I back up a volume?

Yes. Take a snapshot of the volume, or schedule snapshots daily, weekly, or monthly, with a
lifecycle that deletes old ones. See [Create a volume snapshot](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/create-a-volume-snapshot/)
and [Schedule volume snapshots](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/schedule-volume-snapshots/).

## Can I encrypt a volume?

Yes, by checking **Enable Encryption** when you create it. Encryption can be turned on only at
creation. See [Encrypt a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/encrypt-a-volume/).

## Are snapshots of an encrypted volume encrypted too?

Yes. A snapshot of an encrypted volume is encrypted; a snapshot of an unencrypted volume is not.
When you create a new volume from a snapshot, choose encryption again if you want it on the new
volume. See [Encrypt a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/encrypt-a-volume/).

## Can I make a volume bigger?

Yes, upgrade it while it is attached to a node. The size can only go up. If the volume has a
snapshot, delete the snapshot or create a new volume from it first. See [Upgrade a
volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/upgrade-a-volume/).

## Can I move a volume to another project?

Yes, to another project of the same account, if it is **Available** and has no tags. Its snapshots
move with it, and a committed volume keeps its committed plan. The move itself is free. A volume attached to a node also moves when you move that node. See
[Move a volume to another project](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/move-a-volume-to-another-project/).

## Can I move a volume's data to another region?

Yes, by exporting it to an Object Storage bucket, then importing it in the other region. Export
is available in Delhi. See [Export a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/export-a-volume/) and
[Import a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/import-a-volume/).

## How is a volume different from Object Storage?

A volume attaches directly to one node, like a local disk, and only that node can use it at a
time. Object Storage holds files in a bucket reached over the network from anywhere. Use a
volume for a node's own fast storage; use Object Storage for files many machines reach. See
[Block Storage](/myaccount/volumes/) and [E2E Object Storage](/myaccount/object-storage/).