What formats does this calculator apply to?

This calculator is accurate for any uncompressed PCM audio format, including WAV, AIFF, AIFF-C (uncompressed), and raw PCM data. Compressed formats like MP3, AAC, FLAC, or OGG have variable sizes that depend on the encoder settings and audio content.

Why does the actual WAV file on disk sometimes differ slightly?

WAV and AIFF files include a small header (typically 44 bytes for WAV, 54 bytes for AIFF) that stores metadata. This calculator adds that overhead automatically, which is why the result may be a few bytes larger than the raw PCM data alone.

What is the difference between 16-bit and 24-bit audio?

16-bit audio is standard CD quality and produces smaller files. 24-bit audio provides higher dynamic range (144 dB vs 96 dB) and is preferred for professional recording and mixing. A 24-bit file is exactly 1.5x the size of an equivalent 16-bit file.

How does sample rate affect file size?

File size scales linearly with sample rate. A 96 kHz recording is exactly twice the size of a 48 kHz recording at the same bit depth, channels, and duration. Higher sample rates capture more audio data per second.

What is 32-bit float audio used for?

32-bit float is used internally by digital audio workstations (DAWs) for processing headroom. It stores each sample as a floating-point number, allowing values outside the normal 0–1 range without clipping. Files are twice the size of 16-bit audio.

Audio File Size Calculator

Name: Audio File Size Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Calculate the exact file size of an uncompressed audio file (WAV, AIFF, PCM) by entering sample rate, bit depth, channels, and duration.

Audio Parameters

Sample Rate

Bit Depth

Channels

Duration

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Applies to uncompressed PCM formats: WAV, AIFF, raw PCM. Does not apply to MP3, AAC, FLAC, or OGG.

File Size Estimate

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Bitrate

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Raw Bytes

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Duration

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Samples Total

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Format Comparison at Same Settings

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Summary

Calculate the exact file size of an uncompressed audio file (WAV, AIFF, PCM) by entering sample rate, bit depth, channels, and duration.

How it works

Select a preset or enter a custom sample rate (e.g. 44100 Hz for CD quality).
Choose the bit depth — 16-bit for CD, 24-bit for studio recordings, 32-bit float for DAW projects.
Set the number of channels: 1 for mono, 2 for stereo, or more for surround.
Enter the audio duration in hours, minutes, and seconds.
The calculator applies the PCM formula and displays the file size with format breakdown.

Use cases

Estimate storage needs before recording a long session in the studio.
Plan hard drive space for a multi-track recording project.
Compare file sizes across different sample rate and bit depth combinations.
Determine how many audio files fit on a drive or SD card.
Budget storage for podcast or audiobook production.
Understand trade-offs between audio quality and file size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed by Nham Vu