PCM Audio File Size CalculatorFree online other calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Estimate uncompressed PCM audio size without headers.
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About the PCM Audio File Size Calculator
The PCM Audio File Size Calculator estimates the storage required for uncompressed PCM audio from its sample rate, bit depth, channel count, and duration. It reports the audio payload size in decimal megabytes (MB), excluding file headers and metadata. With the default settings of 48000 Hz, 24 bits, 2 channels, and 180 seconds, the estimated size is 51.84 MB.
- Sample rate (Hz)
- The number of audio samples recorded per second per channel, measured in hertz (Hz), with a default of 48000.
- Bit depth (bits)
- The number of bits stored for each sample in each channel, with a default of 24 bits.
- Channels
- The unitless number of audio channels stored, with a default of 2 for stereo.
- Duration (s)
- The length of the audio recording in seconds (s), with a default of 180.
Formula and method
S_MB = (f_s × b × C × t) / (8 × 1,000,000); with the defaults: (48000 × 24 × 2 × 180) / (8 × 1,000,000) = 51.84 MB.
- S_MBEstimated PCM audio payload size in decimal megabytes, where 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes.
- f_sSample rate in hertz, or samples per second per channel.
- bStored bits per sample per channel.
- CNumber of audio channels.
- tAudio duration in seconds.
Multiply the sample rate by the bit depth and channel count to obtain the PCM bit rate: 48000 × 24 × 2 = 2,304,000 bits per second. Multiply by 180 seconds to obtain 414,720,000 bits, then divide by 8 to obtain 51,840,000 bytes. Divide by 1,000,000 to express the payload as 51.84 MB.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- Sample rate48000 Hz
- Bit depth24 bits
- Channels2
- Duration180 s
Results
- Result51.84 MB
How to use the PCM Audio File Size Calculator
- 1Enter the sample rate in Hz; use 48000 for the default example.
- 2Enter the stored bit depth per sample; use 24 bits for the default example.
- 3Enter the channel count; use 2 for the default stereo recording.
- 4Enter the duration in seconds; use 180 for the default example.
- 5Read the estimated PCM payload size: the default inputs produce 51.84 MB, before headers or metadata.
Reading your result
The Result row gives the estimated uncompressed PCM audio payload in decimal MB. A result of 51.84 MB means the audio samples alone occupy 51,840,000 bytes. It does not include any container headers, tags, or other non-audio data.
Limitations
The calculation assumes a constant sample rate, a constant stored bit depth, and the same duration for all channels. It assumes samples are packed at the entered bit depth without extra storage padding; if the format stores samples in wider containers, use that stored width instead. Actual files may be larger because of headers, metadata, or alignment padding. Exact recordings contain whole sample frames, so arbitrary durations may require rounding to a frame boundary. The result does not predict compressed audio sizes such as MP3, AAC, or FLAC, and decimal MB differs from binary MiB.
Common questions
Does the 51.84 MB default result include a WAV header?+
No. It includes only the PCM sample data for 48000 Hz, 24-bit, 2-channel audio lasting 180 seconds. A WAV file containing that audio will also include headers and may contain metadata.
Why does the channel count affect PCM size?+
Each channel stores its own sequence of samples. The default channel count of 2 therefore stores two samples per sample frame, doubling the payload compared with one channel at the same sample rate, bit depth, and duration.
Should I enter the nominal bit depth or the stored sample width?+
Enter the stored sample width to estimate actual payload storage. The default 24-bit calculation assumes each channel sample occupies exactly 24 bits; a format that pads samples to a wider container requires that wider stored width.
Can this calculator estimate MP3 or FLAC file sizes?+
Not directly. MP3 size depends primarily on the encoded bit rate and duration, while FLAC size also depends on how well the audio compresses. This calculator estimates only the uncompressed PCM payload.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.