Sound File Size Calculator

Sound File Size Formula:

\[ S = \frac{SR \times BD \times CH \times D}{8} \]

Sample Rate (SR):

Bit Depth (BD):

bits

Channels (CH):

channels

Duration (D):

seconds

File Size (S):

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1. What is the Sound File Size Calculation?

The sound file size calculation estimates the storage space required for an uncompressed audio file based on its technical parameters. It helps audio professionals plan storage needs and understand the relationship between audio quality and file size.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the sound file size formula:

\[ S = \frac{SR \times BD \times CH \times D}{8} \]

Where:

\( S \) — File size (bytes)
\( SR \) — Sample rate (Hz)
\( BD \) — Bit depth (bits)
\( CH \) — Number of channels
\( D \) — Duration (seconds)

Explanation: The formula calculates the total number of bits required (sample rate × bit depth × channels × duration) and converts it to bytes by dividing by 8.

3. Importance of File Size Calculation

Details: Understanding audio file sizes is crucial for storage planning, bandwidth considerations for streaming, and optimizing audio quality versus file size trade-offs in various applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter sample rate in Hz, bit depth in bits, number of channels, and duration in seconds. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why divide by 8 in the formula?
A: We divide by 8 to convert from bits to bytes, since there are 8 bits in 1 byte and file sizes are typically measured in bytes.

Q2: How does compression affect file size?
A: This calculator estimates uncompressed file size. Compression algorithms can significantly reduce file size (often by 50-90%) depending on the format and compression level.

Q3: What are typical values for sample rate and bit depth?
A: Common sample rates: 44.1kHz (CD quality), 48kHz, 96kHz. Common bit depths: 16-bit (CD quality), 24-bit (professional), 32-bit (high-end).

Q4: How does stereo vs mono affect file size?
A: Stereo (2 channels) requires twice the storage space of mono (1 channel) for the same duration and quality settings.

Q5: Can I calculate file size for compressed formats?
A: This calculator is for uncompressed audio only. Compressed formats (MP3, AAC, etc.) have variable file sizes depending on the compression algorithm and bitrate.