Audio File Size Calculator
Audio File Size Calculator
Enter the length, sample rate, bit depth and channels. Get the WAV size, an estimated FLAC size, MP3 and AAC sizes at your bitrate, and a table of megabytes per minute for common formats.
| Format | MB per minute | Typical use |
|---|
How audio file size is calculated
Uncompressed audio size is simple arithmetic: sample rate times bit depth times channels gives bits per second, and bits per second times length gives the file. A stereo 24-bit 48 kHz WAV is 2.3 million bits per second, about 16.5 MB per minute. Lossless formats such as FLAC and ALAC typically shrink that to 55 to 65 percent depending on the material; lossy formats such as MP3 and AAC are set by their bitrate alone, so a 320 kbps MP3 is 2.4 MB per minute no matter what the source was.
What to deliver
Mixes and stems are delivered as 24-bit WAV at the session sample rate, usually 44.1 or 48 kHz. Masters for distribution are 16-bit or 24-bit 44.1 kHz WAV; the aggregator makes the streaming formats. Send MP3s only for references and demos.
Storage planning
Use the per-minute and songs-per-gigabyte figures to size drives and uploads. A full multitrack session at 24/48 with 40 tracks of 4 minutes is roughly 2.6 GB before edits and bounces.
FAQ
How big is a 3 minute WAV file?
About 31 MB at 16-bit 44.1 kHz stereo, 46 MB at 24-bit 44.1 kHz, and 50 MB at 24-bit 48 kHz.
How much smaller is FLAC than WAV?
Usually 35 to 45 percent smaller, with identical audio. Dense, loud material compresses less; quiet or sparse material compresses more.
Does sample rate change MP3 file size?
No. MP3 and AAC size depends only on bitrate and length. A 320 kbps file is 2.4 MB per minute regardless of the original sample rate.
Which format should I upload to streaming?
A 16-bit or 24-bit WAV at 44.1 kHz. Services encode their own AAC and Ogg versions from the lossless master.
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