The WAV file size calculator calculates the size of uncompressed PCM audio from sample rate, bit depth, channels and length. One hour of 16 kHz mono 16-bit audio is 115.2 MB. It is useful when you plan to record in WAV and want to know whether the file will fit the 2 GB limit.
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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
In short
- Formula: bytes = sample rate × bit depth ÷ 8 × channels × seconds, applied to the numbers in the table below.
- Assumption: the audio is uncompressed PCM, and the 44-byte header of a WAV file is not counted.
- Halve the result for mono and double it for stereo: the channel count is the biggest lever.
- The values on this page are calculated in advance, not measured on a recording.
Calculation and example
Formula: bytes = sample rate × bit depth ÷ 8 × channels × seconds
| Sample rate (Hz) | Bit depth | Channels | Minutes | Size (MB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16000 | 16 | 1 | 60 | 115.2 |
| 44100 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 10.6 |
| 44100 | 16 | 2 | 60 | 635.0 |
| 48000 | 24 | 2 | 60 | 1036.8 |
One hour of 16 kHz mono 16-bit audio is 115.2 MB.
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Where it works | Telegram bot @potok_now_bot; large files go through the bot's mini app |
| Labels and times | You can turn on speaker labels and timestamps |
| Translating | No translation: the text stays in the language of the recording |
| Typing by voice | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
| What you can send | Voice messages, audio files and video files |
Reading the table
Read the formula first, then find the row of the table that is closest to your case. Replace its numbers with yours and apply the same rule. If the answer decides something important, round in the safe direction and keep a small reserve.
Next steps
Need a converter or a calculator? Open the tools. Unsure about a term? Check the glossary. Apps are on the download page.
Frequently asked questions
How does the WAV file size calculator work?
It applies one rule: bytes = sample rate × bit depth ÷ 8 × channels × seconds. One hour of 16 kHz mono 16-bit audio is 115.2 MB.
What does the WAV file size calculator assume?
It assumes that the audio is uncompressed PCM, and the 44-byte header of a WAV file is not counted. For another case, change the numbers and keep the rule.
What does the table of the WAV file size calculator show?
It shows: Sample rate (Hz), Bit depth, Channels, Minutes, Size (MB). Values: 16000 | 16 | 1 | 60 | 115.2; 44100 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 10.6; 44100 | 16 | 2 | 60 | 635.0; 48000 | 24 | 2 | 60 | 1036.8.
Where do the definitions behind the WAV file size calculator come from?
Units, formats and rules are described in the sources listed at the bottom of this page. The numbers in the table are calculated here by the formula above and are not copied from those sources.
How do I avoid a mistake with the WAV file size calculator?
Halve the result for mono and double it for stereo: the channel count is the biggest lever. Use it when you plan to record in WAV and want to know whether the file will fit the 2 GB limit.
Sources
We opened each page below on the date shown. Because pages get updated, confirm important details at the source.
- Sampling (signal processing) (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- WAVE audio file format (Library of Congress), Library of Congress · checked
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