This Windows Server 2019 License Cost Calculator helps estimate the total licensing expenses for your deployment, including core licenses and required Client Access Licenses (CALs).
Windows Server 2019 License Cost Calculator
Estimated Total Licensing Cost
Detailed Calculation Steps
Click ‘Calculate’ to see the detailed steps.
Windows Server 2019 License Cost Calculator Formula
Total Cost = Core License Cost + CAL Cost
Core License Cost = Base 16-Core Pack + (Additional 2-Core Packs * Cost per 2-Pack)
Additional 2-Core Packs = CEILING( MAX(0, Physical Cores - 16) / 2 )
CAL Cost = Number of Users/Devices * Cost per CAL
Formula Sources: Microsoft Official Licensing, Trusted Tech Team Guide
Variables Explained
- Server Edition: Determines the base license cost (Standard for 2 VMs, Datacenter for unlimited VMs).
- Number of Physical Cores: Windows Server requires licensing ALL physical cores, with a minimum of 16 cores per server.
- Number of Users/Devices Requiring CALs: The count of people (User CALs) or devices (Device CALs) accessing the server.
- CAL Type: User CAL (better for few users, many devices) or Device CAL (better for many users, few devices).
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What is Windows Server 2019 Licensing?
Windows Server 2019 licensing is based on a core + CAL model. This fundamentally changed from older processor-based models. Under the core licensing model, you must license all physical cores on the server, with a minimum requirement of 16 cores per server, even if the server has fewer than 16 cores. Licenses are sold in 16-core base packs and supplemental 2-core packs.
The Standard edition allows up to two Operating System Environments (OSEs) or Virtual Machines (VMs) and requires re-licensing the entire server for every two additional VMs. The Datacenter edition, designed for highly virtualized environments, allows an unlimited number of OSEs/VMs.
How to Calculate Windows Server 2019 Licensing (Example)
Follow these steps to estimate the license cost for a 32-core server with 100 users requiring access (Standard Edition):
- Determine Required Core Licenses: The server has 32 physical cores. Since this is over the 16-core minimum, you must license all 32 cores.
- Calculate Core License Packs: One 16-core pack is required (base). Remaining cores = 32 – 16 = 16 cores. This requires 16 / 2 = 8 supplemental 2-core packs.
- Calculate Core Cost: (1 * Base Cost) + (8 * 2-Core Pack Cost). For Standard, this is (1 * $1,069) + (8 * $133) = $1,069 + $1,064 = $2,133.
- Calculate CAL Cost: 100 User CALs * $37.60 per CAL = $3,760.
- Calculate Total Cost: Core Cost ($2,133) + CAL Cost ($3,760) = $5,893.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. If the server is only accessed by external users via the internet (anonymous access), CALs are not required. CALs are for internal users or devices accessing the server directly.
User CALs license a specific person to use any device to access the server. Device CALs license a specific device (like a shared workstation) to be used by any person to access the server. Choose the one that minimizes your overall cost.
You must still purchase licenses for the 16-core minimum. The calculation will use 16 cores as the licensed core count.
No. One Standard Edition license covers up to two Virtual Machines (VMs) or Operating System Environments (OSEs) on a single, licensed physical server. It does not license two separate physical servers.