Audio Buffer Latency
Calculate the latency introduced by a DAW audio buffer.
About Audio Buffer Latency
Each buffer block adds a delay equal to its sample count divided by the sample rate before you hear what you play. Low buffer sizes minimise lag while playing but cost CPU stability, so balancing latency and reliability is a constant trade-off.
Formula
Audio Buffer Latency
Latency = buffer samples / sample rate
- buffer
- Number of audio samples processed per block
Worked example
With the default values below, Audio Buffer Latency returns Latency of 5.33. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Buffer sizeminimum 1 samples
- 256 samples
- Sample rateaccepts 2,000–384,000 Hz
- 48,000 Hz
Results
- Latency
- 5.33 ms
- Round Trip
- 10.67 ms
- Latency
- 0.00533 s
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Audio Buffer Latency
- 3Latency= 5.33 ms
- 4Round Trip= 10.67 ms
- 5Latency= 0.00533 s
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 5 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Audio Buffer Latency calculated?
Latency = buffer samples / sample rate Each buffer block adds a delay equal to its sample count divided by the sample rate before you hear what you play.
Why does Audio Buffer Latency matter?
Low buffer sizes minimise lag while playing but cost CPU stability, so balancing latency and reliability is a constant trade-off.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 2 inputs: Buffer size, Sample rate. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.