Sample Rate & Bit Depth Calculator
Calculate the uncompressed file size in megabytes for any combination of sample rate, bit depth, channel count, and duration. Use it when estimating storage, bandwidth, or export settings for audio projects.
About this calculator
Uncompressed digital audio (PCM) stores every sample as a binary word. The file size formula is: size (MB) = (sampleRate × bitDepth × channels × duration) / (8 × 1024 × 1024). Here, sampleRate is in Hz (samples per second), bitDepth is in bits per sample, channels is the number of audio channels (1 for mono, 2 for stereo), and duration is in seconds. Dividing by 8 converts bits to bytes; dividing by 1024 twice converts bytes to megabytes. A 44,100 Hz, 16-bit, stereo, 60-second file therefore occupies (44100 × 16 × 2 × 60) / 8,388,608 ≈ 10.09 MB. Higher sample rates and bit depths capture more detail but increase file size proportionally, which directly impacts storage, streaming bandwidth, and DAW session performance.
How to use
Calculate the size of a 5-minute (300-second) 24-bit, 96 kHz stereo recording. Set Sample Rate to 96000, Bit Depth to 24, Channels to 2, and Duration to 300. Calculation: (96000 × 24 × 2 × 300) / (8 × 1024 × 1024) = 1,382,400,000 / 8,388,608 ≈ 164.8 MB. Compare that to a 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo version of the same recording: (44100 × 16 × 2 × 300) / 8,388,608 ≈ 50.4 MB. The 96/24 file is about 3.3× larger, a useful figure when planning hard-drive space or session backup strategies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 44.1 kHz and 96 kHz sample rates for audio quality?
Sample rate determines the highest frequency that can be accurately captured, according to the Nyquist theorem: the maximum reproducible frequency equals half the sample rate. At 44.1 kHz, the upper limit is 22.05 kHz — above the typical human hearing ceiling of 20 kHz — making it sufficient for most consumer audio. At 96 kHz, the ceiling rises to 48 kHz, which benefits processing headroom during recording and mixing rather than final playback quality. Higher sample rates also allow more accurate representation of transients in digital signal processing. The tradeoff is roughly doubled file size and increased CPU load compared to 44.1 kHz.
How does bit depth affect dynamic range and noise floor in digital audio?
Each additional bit of depth adds approximately 6.02 dB of dynamic range. A 16-bit recording has a theoretical dynamic range of 96 dB, while 24-bit achieves 144 dB — far exceeding the capabilities of any microphone or speaker system. The practical benefit of 24-bit during recording is headroom: engineers can record at lower levels without the noise floor intruding, leaving room for unexpected loud transients. For final delivery, 16-bit is standard for CD and most streaming, while 24-bit is preferred for archival and post-production work where further processing will occur.
Why does the number of audio channels double file size when going from mono to stereo?
Each channel in a PCM audio file is stored as a completely independent stream of samples. Stereo audio requires two channels — left and right — so the total number of samples doubles compared to mono at the same sample rate, bit depth, and duration. This is why the channels variable appears as a direct multiplier in the file size formula. A 5.1 surround mix has six channels and will be six times larger than a mono recording with identical settings. When archiving or streaming, choosing the appropriate channel count for the end use case (mono for voice, stereo for music, surround for film) directly controls file size.