Audio file size equals bitrate in kbps times 60, divided by 8 and by 1000, for each minute. At 128 kbps that is 0.96 MB per minute, or 57.6 MB per hour, so about 34 hours fit into 2 GB. Enter your own bitrate and length below to check a recording.
Transcribe a recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
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Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Key facts
- Megabytes per minute equal kbps × 60 ÷ 8 ÷ 1000, for a constant bitrate and an audio-only file.
- Two hours of CD-quality WAV need more than 1 GB, while two hours of MP3 at 96 kbps need about 86 MB.
- Tags, cover art and variable bitrates make real files differ a little from the calculation.
Calculator
| Format and quality | kbps | MB per minute | MB per hour | Hours that fit in 2 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP3 or AAC, low voice quality | 64 | 0.48 | 28.8 | 69.4 |
| MP3 or AAC, voice | 96 | 0.72 | 43.2 | 46.3 |
| MP3, common default | 128 | 0.96 | 57.6 | 34.7 |
| MP3 or AAC, music | 192 | 1.44 | 86.4 | 23.1 |
| MP3, high | 320 | 2.40 | 144.0 | 13.9 |
| Opus, voice | 24 | 0.18 | 10.8 | 185.2 |
| WAV, 16 kHz mono 16-bit | 256 | 1.92 | 115.2 | 17.4 |
| WAV, 44.1 kHz stereo 16-bit (CD quality) | 1411.2 | 10.58 | 635.0 | 3.1 |
Sizes use decimal units (1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes). MB per minute = kbps × 60 ÷ 8 ÷ 1000. This is a calculation, not a measurement of any file.
How the size is calculated
Bitrate is the amount of data used for each second of sound, in kilobits per second (kbps). To get the size of one minute, multiply the bitrate by 60 seconds, divide by 8 to turn bits into bytes and divide by 1000 to turn kilobytes into megabytes. For 128 kbps that gives 128 × 60 ÷ 8 ÷ 1000 = 0.96 MB per minute.
The numbers are a calculation for a constant bitrate and an audio-only file. Real files can differ a little because of tags, cover art and variable bitrates.
Does it fit into 2 GB?
The Potok bot supports files up to 2 GB. The last column of the table shows how many hours of each type fit into that size. Compressed formats such as MP3 fit tens of hours. Uncompressed WAV at CD quality does not reach three hours.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Where it works | Telegram bot @potok_now_bot; large files go through the bot's mini app |
| File size | Up to 2 GB |
| Export | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Speakers and time | Speaker labels and timestamps can be switched on |
| Languages | About 30 languages with good published results; a few more with warnings |
| Translation | The transcript is not translated into another language |
| Dictation | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
What to do with a large file
- If the file is video, you do not have to extract the audio first. The bot transcribes video too.
- If the file is too big, lower the bitrate or cut the recording into parts before you send it.
- For speech, 64 to 128 kbps is a common choice. See the page on MP3 to text for more about this format.
Turn the text into subtitles by exporting SRT or VTT. The SRT file page shows what these files look like. You can also send voice messages directly: see Telegram voice messages, or read the guide to transcribing an interview.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the size of an audio file?
Multiply the bitrate in kilobits per second by 60 to get kilobits per minute, divide by 8 to get kilobytes and by 1000 to get megabytes. At 128 kbps one minute is 0.96 MB.
How many hours of audio fit into 2 GB?
It depends on the bitrate. At 128 kbps about 34 hours fit. At 64 kbps about 69 hours fit. Uncompressed CD-quality WAV fits under 3 hours.
Why is my file bigger than the calculator says?
Some files use a variable bitrate, carry cover art or tags, or hold video as well. The calculator assumes a constant bitrate and audio only.
Does the calculator work without scripts?
Yes. The table already shows the values for common bitrates. The form only recalculates for the numbers you enter.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- Bit rate (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Megabyte (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- MP3 (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
Try it on your own recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram