Files & encoding
Audio Bitrate Calculator
Pick a sample rate, bit depth and channel layout to get the uncompressed (WAV / PCM) bitrate and file size, then compare it with lossless and lossy formats.
Audio bitrate & file size
Uncompressed bitrate (WAV / PCM)
1,411.2kbps
- File size
- —
- Per minute
- —
- Per hour
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- Bytes per second
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Same length in other formats
Stereo bitrates typical for each format. FLAC varies with the music, so it’s shown as a range.
| Format | Bitrate | File size |
|---|---|---|
| FLAC (lossless) | — | — |
| Opus (voice) | 64 kbps | — |
| AAC (streaming) | 128 kbps | — |
| AAC (high) | 256 kbps | — |
| MP3 (standard) | 192 kbps | — |
| MP3 (maximum) | 320 kbps | — |
Common uncompressed formats
| Format | Settings | Bitrate | Per minute |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD audio | 44.1 kHz · 16-bit · 2 ch | 1,411.2 kbps | 10.6 MB |
| Video / broadcast | 48 kHz · 24-bit · 2 ch | 2,304 kbps | 17.3 MB |
| Hi-res studio | 96 kHz · 24-bit · 2 ch | 4,608 kbps | 34.6 MB |
| Voice memo (mono) | 48 kHz · 16-bit · 1 ch | 768 kbps | 5.76 MB |
| 5.1 film mix | 48 kHz · 24-bit · 6 ch | 6,912 kbps | 51.8 MB |
Frequently asked questions
What is the bitrate of CD-quality audio?
CD audio is 44,100 samples per second × 16 bits × 2 channels = 1,411,200 bit/s, or 1,411.2 kbps. One minute is about 10.6 MB uncompressed.
How is uncompressed audio bitrate calculated?
Multiply the sample rate by the bit depth and the number of channels. The result is the bitrate in bits per second; divide by 8 for bytes per second.
What audio bitrate should I use for streaming?
AAC at 128–160 kbps stereo is the usual choice for live streams and sounds clean for voice and most music. Music-focused streams sometimes use 256–320 kbps where the platform allows it.
Is FLAC the same bitrate as WAV?
No. FLAC is lossless but compressed, so it typically uses 50–70% of the WAV bitrate, depending on the music. It decodes to exactly the same audio as the WAV.