LTO-9 at a glance
- 18TB native, 45TB compressed (2.5:1) per cartridge
- 400MB/s native, up to 1,000MB/s compressed
- LTO-9 drives read and write LTO-8 tapes (not LTO-7)
- One-time media optimisation when a new cartridge is first loaded
- AES-256 encryption, WORM, partitioning and LTFS
LTO-9 tape: the proven workhorse
LTO-9 arrived in 2021 and quickly became the most widely deployed LTO generation in UK data centres. Each cartridge stores 18TB natively, 50% more than LTO-8, and streams at up to 400MB/s. That is enough to move about 1.44TB an hour per drive before compression.
Even with LTO-10 now available, LTO-9 remains a strong choice. It is the newest generation that keeps backward compatibility: an LTO-9 drive reads and writes LTO-8 cartridges. So you can add capacity to an existing LTO-8 or LTO-9 library without migrating your archive or replacing every drive.
LTO-9 specifications
More detail in our LTO-9 specifications guide.
Compatibility
LTO-9 changed the long-standing “read two generations back” rule. An LTO-9 drive:
- Reads and writes LTO-9 cartridges
- Reads and writes LTO-8 cartridges (in LTO-8 format)
- Cannot read or write LTO-7 or older cartridges
If you still hold LTO-7 tapes, keep an LTO-7 or LTO-8 drive to read them. See the full LTO-9 compatibility guide.
What is LTO-9 media optimisation?
To reach LTO-9’s track density, the drive calibrates each new cartridge the first time it is loaded, then stores the results in the cartridge memory. This one-off optimisation usually takes under an hour per cartridge. The LTO Program quotes an average of around 40 minutes, with some cartridges taking up to two hours. After that, the cartridge loads normally.
Load and optimise a batch of new LTO-9 cartridges before the backup window, or let your library do it in the background. That way the first backups onto new media are not delayed. Most library management tools can schedule this for you.
LTFS with LTO-9
LTO-9 supports LTFS, so a cartridge can be mounted like a very large USB drive and files dragged on and off. That is ideal for sharing camera footage or research data between sites or organisations.
Buying LTO-9 tapes
We supply LTO-9 cartridges from Dell Technologies, Fujifilm, HPE, IBM, Quantum and Sony, from 5-packs to thousands, including LTO-9 WORM. On orders of 20 or more we can supply pre-printed barcode labels in the right sequence for your library.
| Brand | LTO-9 part number |
|---|---|
| Fujifilm | 16659047 |
| HPE | Q2079A |
| IBM | 02XW568 |
| Quantum | MR-L9MQN-01 |
| Dell | 440-BBJU |
| Sony | LTX1800G |
All LTO media carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Fujifilm also offers a data recovery service if a media fault causes data loss, provided the tape has been stored and handled correctly.
Tell us the brand and quantity you need, and whether you want barcode labels.
LTO-9 FAQ
How much does an LTO-9 tape hold?
18TB native, or up to 45TB with typical 2.5:1 compression.
Can I use LTO-8 tapes in an LTO-9 drive?
Yes. LTO-9 drives read and write LTO-8 cartridges in LTO-8 format, at 12TB native capacity.
Can an LTO-9 drive read LTO-7?
No. LTO-9 supports only one previous generation (LTO-8). You need an LTO-7 or LTO-8 drive to read LTO-7 cartridges.
Should I buy LTO-9 or LTO-10?
Buy LTO-10 for a new installation with large data volumes and no older tapes to read. Buy LTO-9 if you need to keep reading LTO-8, or you are expanding an existing LTO-8/LTO-9 estate. Our comparison guide covers this in detail.