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Audio bit depth

It's an important factor of audio, affecting both its quality and file size.

What is bit depth?

Bit depth refers to the number of bits used to represent each individual sample in an audio file.

Common bit depths

Audio files typically use the following bit depths:

  • 8-bit: Often used in older or very low-quality recordings. Offers a very limited dynamic range, and is rarely used in professional applications.
  • 16-bit: The standard for CD-quality audio. It provides a good balance between audio quality and file size.
  • 24-bit: Common in professional audio recording and editing. It offers a much wider dynamic range, which is ideal for preserving the finest details in the audio, making it suitable for high-fidelity applications.
  • 32-bit: Typically used in high-end professional audio processing. It's used in audio processing workflows where precision is critical, but it's usually overkill for most typical listening scenarios.

How to choose bit depth

Choosing the right bit depth means picking what’s more important to you — better sound or smaller audio file size. Whether you're making music or just listening, you have to decide between higher quality and saving space.