> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.algolia.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is the effect of a replica on the number of records?

> Find out how replicas impact the number of records. Standard replicas increase the number of records but virtual replicas don't.

export const Index = () => <Tooltip tip="An Algolia index is a searchable dataset that consists of records and configuration settings. These settings define how the records are searched and ranked.">
    index
  </Tooltip>;

## Number of records

Algolia counts the number of records differently depending on the [type of replica](/doc/guides/managing-results/refine-results/sorting/in-depth/replicas).
This means the count differs between standard and virtual replicas.

### Standard replicas

Standard replica indices "replicate" or copy the primary <Index /> records.
Standard replicas have the same content but can have their own configuration.

For example, say your primary index has 1,000 records.
If you create two standard replicas, you end up with 3,000 records in total.

The total number of records for an index equals the records in its primary index.
Multiply that by the replica count to get the total.

* total records size = number of records in primary index \* (1 + number of standard replicas).

### Virtual replicas

Virtual replicas are a "view" of their primary indices.
They don't increase the number of records.

## Indexing operations

Only operations on the primary index count as indexing operations.
This applies to both standard and virtual replicas.

* You send data to a primary index, or update existing data. Algolia then automatically forwards the changes to your replica indices. These changes don't add anything to your operation count.
* The `forwardToReplicas` setting forwards settings from your primary index to your replicas without adding extra operation counts.
* Adding settings directly to your standard or virtual replicas count as one operation.
* Adding synonyms and Rules to your standard or virtual replicas count as operations.

## What happens when you detach a replica from its primary?

You can turn a standard or virtual replica into a regular index by
[un-linking it from its primary index](/doc/guides/managing-results/refine-results/sorting/how-to/deleting-replicas).
After that, all its indexing operations count toward your monthly operations total.