Audio File Size Calculator — Rex's Toolbox

Rex says

Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.

Try a scenario

Click to load — tweak from there.

Inputs

Sample rate

Bit depth

Channels (1=mono, 2=stereo, etc.)

Duration(min)

Result

File size (MB)

988.8

File size (GB)

0.966

MB per minute at this setting

16.48

Exact size in bytes

1,036,800,000

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How to use this

1Enter sample rate.
2Enter bit depth.
3Enter channels (1=mono, 2=stereo, etc.).
4Enter duration (min).
5Read your file size (mb) on the right — it updates as you type.
6Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.

About this calculator

Uncompressed audio file size scales directly with sample rate, bit depth, channel count, and duration, and it adds up fast — a single stereo 24-bit/96kHz track runs roughly 33 MB per minute versus about 10 MB per minute at standard 16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality. This calculator computes exact file size for any combination so you can plan storage and backup needs for a multitrack session before you run out of drive space mid-recording.

FormulaFile size (bytes) = sample rate × bit depth ÷ 8 × channels × duration in seconds.

Worked example

Using the values the calculator loads with:

Inputs

Sample rate: 48 kHz (video standard)
Bit depth: 24-bit
Channels (1=mono, 2=stereo, etc.): 2
Duration: 60 min

Results

File size (MB): 988.8
File size (GB): 0.966
MB per minute at this setting: 16.48
Exact size in bytes: 1,036,800,000

What each field means

Inputs

Sample rate: Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: 44.1 kHz (CD quality), 48 kHz (video standard), 96 kHz (high-res), 192 kHz (ultra high-res).
Bit depth: Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit float.
Channels (1=mono, 2=stereo, etc.): The channels (1=mono, 2=stereo, etc.) used in the calculation. Starts at 2 so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–128.
Duration (min): The duration used in the calculation, measured in min. Starts at 60 min so you have a working example on load.

Results

File size (MB): Returned as a whole number and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
File size (GB): Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
MB per minute at this setting: Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
Exact size in bytes: Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.

FAQ

How much storage does a full multitrack session need?

Multiply this single-track result by your track count — a 24-track session at 24-bit/48kHz for a 4-minute song runs roughly 24 × 27.5 MB ≈ 660 MB just for that one song's raw audio, before comping takes, stems, and backups multiply it further.

Is 96kHz or 192kHz actually necessary for recording?

For most commercial releases destined for streaming (which cap out around 44.1-48kHz anyway), 48kHz/24-bit is the practical standard offering plenty of headroom without doubling storage and CPU load. Higher rates mainly help specific use cases like heavy time-stretching, pitch-shifting, or archival/classical recording where extra frequency resolution matters more.

Why is 32-bit float not simply 33% bigger than 24-bit in real sessions?

The raw math here does scale files by bit depth proportionally, but 32-bit float's real advantage isn't file size — it's that it virtually eliminates clipping from level mistakes since it has enormous dynamic headroom, which is why many DAWs now record and bounce at 32-bit float by default regardless of the storage cost.

Accuracy and limitations

Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.

Related tools

Recording Session Runtime Calculator

How much recording time fits on a drive or in a session budget.

BPM to Delay/Reverb Time Calculator

Convert song tempo into millisecond delay and reverb times for any note value.

Cite this calculator

Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.

APA

RevenueLab. (2026). Sample Rate & Bit Depth File Size Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sample-rate-file-size

HTML

<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sample-rate-file-size" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sample Rate & Bit Depth File Size Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>

Markdown

Source: [Sample Rate & Bit Depth File Size Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sample-rate-file-size) (2026).