Podcast File Size Calculator

Work out podcast file size instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Podcast File Size Calculator

File size is bitrate in kilobits per second times the duration in seconds divided by eight thousand to reach megabytes, and hosting bandwidth is that size times downloads. Speech encodes cleanly at 64 to 96 kbps mono, so halving from a 128 kbps stereo default halves hosting costs with almost no audible loss.

Formulas

File size

MB = bitrate kbps x minutes x 60 / 8000

Bandwidth

GB = episode MB x downloads / 1000

Worked example

With the default values below, Podcast File Size Calculator returns Episode file size of 43.200. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Episode lengthminimum 0.01 min: 45 min
Encoding bitrateminimum 1 kbps: 128 kbps
Expected downloadsminimum 1: 1,000

Results

Episode file size: 43.200 MB
Size per hour of audio: 57.600 MB
Bandwidth for the expected downloads: 43.200 GB
Size if encoded at half the bitrate: 21.600 MB

Step by step

1Values used
2File size
3Bandwidth
4Episode file size= 43.200 MB
5Size per hour of audio= 57.600 MB
6Bandwidth for the expected downloads= 43.200 GB
7Size if encoded at half the bitrate= 21.600 MB

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 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 the Podcast File Size figure worked out?

MB = bitrate kbps x minutes x 60 / 8000. File size is bitrate in kilobits per second times the duration in seconds divided by eight thousand to reach megabytes, and hosting bandwidth is that size times downloads.

Why does this matter?

Speech encodes cleanly at 64 to 96 kbps mono, so halving from a 128 kbps stereo default halves hosting costs with almost no audible loss.

What do I need to enter?

Enter episode length, encoding bitrate, expected downloads. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.