How Many Security Cameras Do I Need for a Small Business? (2026)
Posted by Gregory Derouanna, MBA on Feb 24, 2026
How Many Security Cameras Do I Need for a Small Business?
Most small businesses don’t need “as many as possible.” They need the right cameras in the right places to cover entrances, checkout, high-value areas, and blind spots—without overbuying. This guide gives you a simple sizing method, quick recommendations by business type, and pro placement tips for 2026.
A Simple Sizing Method That Works (No Guessing)
The easiest way to size cameras is to count critical views—not square footage. Use this checklist and add 1–2 cameras for blind spots.
- Entrances/Exits: 1 camera per doorway (face capture angle).
- Register / POS: 1–2 cameras (hands + face angle).
- Sales floor / aisles: 1 camera per major lane of travel (coverage overlap helps).
- Stock room / back office: 1 camera for inventory and access points.
- Parking / lot / loading: 1–3 cameras depending on width and lighting.
- High-value zones: 1 camera per display/case area.
If you’re doing a new install, a professional PoE/IP NVR system is the most reliable path for continuous recording and clean scaling. For many businesses, the “sweet spot” is an 8-camera IP system with wide-angle coverage and room to expand.
Recommended Camera Counts by Business Type
Use these as realistic starting points. Layout and entrances matter more than “square feet.”
Front door + register + aisles + stock room + key displays + parking angle(s).
Front door + register + dining area + kitchen entrance + rear door + lot.
Main entry + lobby + hallways + IT/storage + rear entry/lot.
Dock doors + perimeter + interior lanes + cage areas + lot coverage.
Placement Tips That Prevent “We Can’t See Anything” Footage
- Entrances: mount to capture faces (avoid backlighting). Consider placing the camera slightly inside the doorway facing outward.
- Register/POS: get one view for hands/transaction and one for face angle if possible.
- Aisles: overlap views so a person is visible in more than one camera as they move.
- Night coverage: verify lighting—parking lots often need better angles and fewer “sky-heavy” views.
- Don’t mount too high: extreme height reduces face detail.
Choosing the Right System: IP (NVR) vs HD-over-Coax (Retrofit)
For most new installs, PoE/IP NVR systems are the cleanest choice: one Cat5e/Cat6 per camera, reliable recording, and easy scaling. Your best “standard” starting point is typically an 8-camera IP security camera system.
If you already have coax wiring and want to reuse existing cable, HD-over-coax systems can be a smart retrofit path. Start here for retrofit options: HD-over-Coax Security Camera Systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tip: If you’re unsure between 8 vs 12 vs 16, start with a clean 8-camera plan and add cameras where blind spots remain—especially entrances, POS, and parking views.
