Audio basics
What is bitrate, and how much do you need?
October 31, 2026 • 3 min read
What bitrate means
Bitrate is the amount of audio data used per second, usually measured in kilobits per second (kbps). A higher bitrate can sound better, but it also creates a larger file.
Picking a bitrate for MP3
128 kbps uses about 1 MB per minute and is usually fine for speech. 192 kbps uses about 1.4 MB per minute and suits everyday listening. 320 kbps uses about 2.4 MB per minute and is the highest MP3 quality.
A higher number cannot add detail
Saving a low-quality recording at a higher bitrate makes the file larger, but it does not bring back detail that was already lost. Start from the best source you have.