Tools/Video specs & conversion

YouTube Audio Bitrate Calculator

Enter length, bitrate and channel count, and get the file size plus a verdict against YouTube's own published minimums: 128kbps for stereo, 384kbps for 5.1 surround.

Input
min
kbps
Channels
Audio size
File size
9.60 MB

128kbps, stereo, over 10m.

At or above YouTube's stereo minimum of 128kbps.

Common bitrates at this length
BitrateFile sizeQuality
96kbps7.20 MBNoticeable compression artifacts. Below YouTube's stereo floor.
128kbps9.60 MBYouTube's stereo minimum. Fine for spoken word.
160kbps12.0 MBComfortable margin above the minimum. A safe general choice.
192kbps14.4 MBTransparent for most listeners on typical speakers or earbuds.
256kbps19.2 MBNear-transparent, a good floor for music-heavy content.
320kbps24.0 MBThe practical ceiling for lossy audio. Diminishing returns above this.
384kbps28.8 MBYouTube's 5.1 surround minimum.
  • Free · no signup
  • Runs in your browser
  • Shows the working
What this does

Enter length, bitrate, and channel count, and we calculate the file size, then check it against YouTube's own published minimums: 128kbps for stereo, 384kbps for 5.1 surround.

A reference table shows common bitrates at the same length, from noticeably compressed at 96kbps up to the practical ceiling for lossy audio at 320kbps.

Use cases
  1. 01Check an audio export meets YouTube's stereo minimum before you upload.
  2. 02Compare file size across a few candidate bitrates at the same length.
  3. 03Decide how much headroom above the minimum is actually worth the extra megabytes.
FAQ

Questions, answered.

Does YouTube reject audio under 128kbps?

No, but YouTube's own encode has less to work with, which can show up as audible compression. 128kbps is their published stereo floor, not a hard block.

Do I need an account?

No.

Is there a minimum for mono audio?

YouTube doesn't publish one. Treat the stereo figure, 128kbps, as your floor if you're not sure.

From the notebook
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