Music & Audio
Audio File Size
Calculate WAV, AIFF, or uncompressed audio file sizes for recording projects.
Before recording a session or planning storage for a project, knowing how much space your audio will take is essential. This calculator computes uncompressed PCM audio file size based on duration, bit depth, sample rate, and channel count.
Uncompressed File Size
82.4 MB
- per Minute
- 16.5 MB/min
- per Hour
- 989 MB/hr
- mp3 Equivalent
- 8.2 MB estimated (MP3 @128kbps)
Formula and method
Size = Duration × Sample Rate × Bit Depth/8 × Channels
Uncompressed PCM audio stores each sample as raw bits. File size = seconds × samples/second × bytes/sample × channels. 44,100 samples/sec × 24 bits (3 bytes) × 2 channels = 264,600 bytes/sec ≈ 15.9 MB/min.
Worked examples
Podcast episode (30 min, stereo, 16-bit/44.1kHz)
- Duration (minutes):
- 30
- Bit Depth:
- 16-bit (CD)
- Sample Rate (kHz):
- 44.1 kHz (CD)
- Channels:
- Stereo (2)
Uncompressed File Size: 302.8 MB
Studio track (5 min, stereo, 24-bit/96kHz)
- Duration (minutes):
- 5
- Bit Depth:
- 24-bit (Studio)
- Sample Rate (kHz):
- 96 kHz (Pro)
- Channels:
- Stereo (2)
Uncompressed File Size: 164.8 MB
Assumptions and limits
- Uncompressed PCM format (WAV/AIFF)
- Linear kHz to samples conversion
This tool provides an educational estimate. Rules, rates and personal circumstances can change the answer. Review the assumptions before relying on a result. Report a correction.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calculating MP3 size using WAV math — MP3 at 128kbps is roughly 10× smaller than 24-bit stereo WAV.
- Forgetting that projects record MULTIPLE tracks — a 10-track session at 10 minutes uses 10× the single-track estimate.
- Using kHz values wrong — 44.1 kHz means 44,100 samples per second, not 44.1 samples.
Frequently asked questions
What format should I record in?
24-bit / 48 kHz is the professional standard for music and video production. It gives you excellent dynamic range without the storage overhead of 32-bit. 44.1 kHz is fine for music-only projects targeting CD/streaming.
How much storage do I need for a full album recording session?
A 12-song album with 10 tracks per song, 5 minutes each, at 24-bit/48kHz: roughly 15 GB. With multiple takes, expect 40-80 GB for a full session. SSDs of 500 GB are typically sufficient for most projects.
Does MP3 compression affect quality?
128 kbps MP3 is acceptable for casual listening but has audible artifacts. 320 kbps is considered transparent by most listeners. For masters and distribution files, always keep the uncompressed WAV and export MP3/AAC as a final step.