Bitrate, formats
and file size
A reference on digital audio: how MP3, AAC and FLAC differ, how much bitrate is enough, why tracks play at different loudness, and how to work out a file size.
wowmp3 is an informational project. We do not host audio files, we do not offer downloads, and we keep no catalogue of anyone's releases.
File size calculator
Enter a duration and get the size in different formats, plus how much an hour of audio takes.
| Format | Size | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 128 kbps | 3.66 MB | 54.9 MB |
| MP3 192 kbps | 5.49 MB | 82.4 MB |
| MP3 320 kbps | 9.16 MB | 137 MB |
| AAC 256 kbps | 7.32 MB | 110 MB |
| FLAC, typicalvariable, depends on the material | 25.7 MB | 386 MB |
| CD, uncompressed44.1 kHz · 16 bit · stereo | 40.4 MB | 606 MB |
The formula: bitrate × duration ÷ 8. Bitrate counts in units of 1000 while file managers show sizes in units of 1024 — hence the roughly five per cent difference. The FLAC figure is an estimate: its bitrate is variable and depends on the recording.
Guides
0Nothing has been translated into English yet. Read the Russian version