Audio File Size Calculator
Work out the size of an uncompressed PCM/WAV recording from the sample rate, bit depth, channels and length, in MB, MiB and its data rate. Runs in your browser.
Uncompressed (PCM/WAV) size
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Show the math
Uncompressed PCM audio stores every sample for every channel, so its size is just the product of the recording settings:
bytes = rate × bit depth × channels × seconds ÷ 8
This is the size of a WAV or AIFF file. Compressed formats like MP3 or AAC are far smaller because they discard inaudible detail.
Everything is calculated in your browser.
What this does
An audio file size calculator works out the size of an uncompressed PCM/WAV recording from the sample rate, bit depth, channels, and length — in MB, MiB, and its data rate.
How to use it
- Enter the sample rate and bit depth.
- Set the channel count.
- Enter the length.
- Read the file size and data rate.
How it works
Uncompressed audio stores every sample for every channel. MP3 and AAC discard inaudible detail, so a typical compressed file is roughly a tenth of this.
bytes = sample rate × bit depth × channels × seconds ÷ 8
Understanding your result
This is the size of uncompressed PCM, which stores every sample for every channel, so it is the worst case and the right basis for planning raw recording storage. Lossy formats like MP3 and AAC discard inaudible detail and run roughly a tenth of this, so use this figure for capture and editing headroom, not for the final delivered file.
Example
One minute of 44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo is about 10 MB.
Sources & methodology
Last updated .
Frequently asked questions
How is the file size calculated?
Uncompressed audio stores every sample for every channel, so bytes = sample rate × bit depth × channels × seconds ÷ 8. This is the size of a WAV or AIFF file.
Why is my MP3 much smaller?
Compressed formats like MP3 and AAC discard inaudible detail to shrink the file. This tool sizes the uncompressed original; a typical MP3 is roughly a tenth of that.
What is the difference between MB and MiB?
MB uses 1,000,000 bytes (the decimal megabyte quoted on drives); MiB uses 1,048,576 bytes (the binary mebibyte some software reports). Both are shown.
Is anything stored?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.
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