💾 Audio File Size Calculator
Choose the sample rate, bit depth, channels and length to get the uncompressed audio file size and data rate.
Uncompressed file size
31.75 MB
Data rate
1411 kbps
Size = sample rate × (bit depth ÷ 8) × channels × seconds. This is raw PCM (WAV/AIFF). CD quality is 44,100 Hz / 16-bit / stereo ≈ 10 MB per minute. Lossy formats (MP3, AAC) are far smaller. 🔒 In your browser.
How the audio file size calculator works
Uncompressed PCM audio (WAV, AIFF) stores every sample directly, so its size is simply sample rate × (bit depth ÷ 8 bytes) × channels × seconds. The tool computes the total size and the data rate (sample rate × bit depth × channels), which is how many bits per second the format uses. Worked through: 48,000 Hz × (24 ÷ 8 bytes) × 2 channels × 60 seconds = 17,280,000 bytes, about 16.5 MB for a minute of 48 kHz/24-bit stereo, and its data rate is 48,000 × 24 × 2 = 2,304,000 bits per second (2,304 kbps). Every factor multiplies directly, so doubling any one of sample rate, bit depth, channels or duration doubles the file size.
CD quality, 44,100 Hz, 16-bit, stereo, works out to about 10 MB per minute. Higher sample rates and bit depths (used in studios) multiply that quickly, which is why recording projects grow so large. Lossy formats (MP3, AAC) are a fraction of the size but discard some data.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate audio file size?
Size = sample rate × (bit depth ÷ 8) × channels × seconds. For 44,100 Hz, 16-bit, stereo, 3 minutes (180 s): 44,100 × 2 × 2 × 180 ≈ 31.75 MB.
How big is a minute of CD-quality audio?
About 10 MB, 44,100 Hz × 16-bit × 2 channels × 60 s = 10,584,000 bytes. So a 3-minute song is roughly 30 MB uncompressed.
What is the bitrate of CD audio?
1,411 kbps, sample rate (44,100) × bit depth (16) × channels (2) = 1,411,200 bits per second. MP3s are typically 128-320 kbps, a fraction of that.
Why are studio files so large?
Studios often record at 48 kHz or 96 kHz and 24-bit, sometimes with many channels. Each of those multiplies the size, 96 kHz/24-bit stereo is over three times the size of CD quality per minute.
Does this apply to MP3 files?
No. This is for uncompressed PCM (WAV/AIFF). MP3, AAC and similar are compressed and much smaller; their size depends on the chosen bitrate, not the raw sample maths.
How much storage do I need for a recording session?
Multiply the per-minute size by the total recorded minutes across all tracks. At 48 kHz/24-bit, one mono track is about 8.2 MB per minute, so a 24-track, 60-minute session is roughly 24 × 8.2 × 60 ≈ 11.8 GB before edits and extra takes. Record to a drive with plenty of headroom.
Why is 24-bit audio larger than 16-bit?
Because each sample stores 24 bits instead of 16-50% more data per sample, so the file is 50% larger for the same length and sample rate. The extra bits buy more dynamic range and headroom for mixing, which is why 24-bit is the production standard even though 16-bit is fine for distribution.