CD audio (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo) uses about 10 MB per minute; a 320 kbps MP3 uses about 2.4 MB per minute.
How to use the Audio File Size Calculator
- Sample rate
- Bit depth
- Channels
- Duration
- Compressed bitrate
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Multiply sampling parameters by duration for uncompressed audio; multiply bitrate by duration for compressed formats.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sample rate | Choose one: 44.1 kHz (CD), 48 kHz (video), 96 kHz, 192 kHz |
| Bit depth | Choose one: 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit float |
| Channels | A number |
| Duration | Units: min, s, h |
| Compressed bitrate | In kbps |
What each result means
- Uncompressed size = [Sample rate]×[Bit depth]×[Channels]×[Duration]÷8
- Compressed size = [Compressed bitrate]×1000×[Duration]÷8
- Uncompressed bitrate = [Sample rate]×[Bit depth]×[Channels]÷1000
Example values
How the main result changes when Channels changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Channels | Uncompressed size (MB) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 21.17 |
| 1.5 | 31.75 |
| 2 | 42.34 |
| 2.5 | 52.92 |
| 3 | 63.5 |
| 4 | 84.67 |
Formula
Uncompressed bytes = sample rate × bit depth × channels × seconds ÷ 8Worked example
Inputs — Sample rate: 44.1 kHz (CD); Bit depth: 16-bit; Channels: 2; Duration: 4 min; Compressed bitrate: 320 kbps.
Results — Uncompressed size = 42.34 MB; Compressed size = 9.6 MB; Uncompressed bitrate = 1,411 kbps.
Frequently asked questions
Is FLAC smaller than WAV?
Yes, lossless compression typically halves the size.
What bitrate is transparent for MP3?
Most listeners cannot tell 256–320 kbps from the original.
What formula does the Audio File Size Calculator use?
Uncompressed bytes = sample rate × bit depth × channels × seconds ÷ 8.