Audio File Format Comparison
Choosing the right audio file format involves balancing quality, file size and compatibility. This reference compares the most common formats used in music production, distribution and playback, covering their compression types, typical settings and approximate file sizes.
Format Comparison Table
| Format | Compression | Max sample rate | Max bit depth | Size per min (stereo) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAV | Uncompressed (PCM) | 192 kHz+ | 32-bit float | ~10 MB (16-bit/44.1k) | Lossless — studio reference |
| AIFF | Uncompressed (PCM) | 192 kHz+ | 32-bit | ~10 MB (16-bit/44.1k) | Lossless — Apple's equivalent of WAV |
| FLAC | Lossless compressed | 655 kHz | 32-bit | ~5–7 MB (16-bit/44.1k) | Identical to WAV, ~50–60% file size |
| ALAC | Lossless compressed | 384 kHz | 32-bit | ~5–7 MB (16-bit/44.1k) | Apple's lossless format; iTunes/iPhone native |
| MP3 | Lossy (perceptual) | 48 kHz | 16-bit | ~1 MB (128 kbps) / ~2.3 MB (320 kbps) | Good at 320 kbps; universal compatibility |
| AAC | Lossy (perceptual) | 96 kHz | 24-bit | ~1 MB (128 kbps) / ~2 MB (256 kbps) | Better than MP3 at same bitrate; Apple/YouTube default |
| OGG Vorbis | Lossy (perceptual) | 192 kHz | 24-bit | ~1 MB (128 kbps) / ~2.2 MB (320 kbps) | Open-source; used in Spotify streaming |
When to Use Each Format
| Scenario | Recommended format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Recording & mixing | WAV (24-bit / 48 kHz+) | Maximum quality, no processing overhead |
| Mastering delivery | WAV (16-bit / 44.1 kHz) | CD-quality standard for distribution |
| Archiving & backup | FLAC | Lossless quality at reduced file size |
| Online distribution | MP3 (320 kbps) or AAC (256 kbps) | Small files, wide compatibility |
| Podcast / spoken word | MP3 (128 kbps mono) | Speech does not need high bitrate |
| Apple ecosystem | ALAC or AAC | Native support on all Apple devices |
File Size Calculator
Use our calculator to estimate audio file sizes for different formats and settings:
- Audio File Size Calculator — calculate file sizes for any format, sample rate and duration
File sizes are approximate and depend on audio content (complex music compresses less efficiently than simple speech). Lossy format quality depends heavily on the encoder implementation and settings used.