by Erf Studio
Sample Rate Reference
Compare 44.1, 48, 96 and 192 kHz, see Nyquist limits, file-size impact and which to pick for film, music and archive.
Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
How to use
- Set the bit depth, channel count and length of your recording.
- Compare 44.1, 48, 96 and 192 kHz side by side, with relative file size shown as a bar.
- Click a rate to see its Nyquist limit, data rate and typical use.
- Read the size for your exact clip to plan card and drive space.
Examples
- Cutting to picture, choose 48 kHz, it is the universal video and broadcast standard so audio stays locked to frames.
- Releasing music to streaming or CD, 44.1 kHz is the long-standing target and keeps files smaller.
- Doubling from 48 to 96 kHz doubles the file size for the same length, useful to weigh against the benefit for a given job.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nyquist limit?
A system can only capture frequencies up to half its sample rate. At 48 kHz that is 24 kHz, comfortably above the roughly 20 kHz top of human hearing, which is why 44.1 and 48 are enough for delivery.
Is a higher sample rate always better?
Not for delivery. Higher rates help with heavy pitch and time processing and allow gentler filters, but they also multiply file size and load. For most finished audio, 48 kHz is plenty.
Why is 48 kHz standard for video?
It was chosen for professional video and broadcast and divides cleanly against common frame rates, so it became the default across film, TV and editing software.
