Understanding Podcast File Sizes
Podcast file size depends primarily on duration, bitrate, and audio format. Choosing the right settings balances audio quality with download times and hosting costs.
Recommended Bitrates
| Content Type | Bitrate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Speech Only | 64-96 kbps mono | Voice doesn't need high quality |
| Standard Podcast | 128 kbps mono | Best balance for most podcasts |
| Music/Production | 192-256 kbps stereo | Music requires higher quality |
| Audiophile | 320 kbps stereo | Maximum MP3 quality |
File Size Reference
| Duration | 64 kbps | 128 kbps | 192 kbps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 7 MB | 14 MB | 21 MB |
| 30 min | 14 MB | 28 MB | 42 MB |
| 1 hour | 29 MB | 58 MB | 86 MB |
| 2 hours | 58 MB | 115 MB | 173 MB |
Popular Podcast Lengths
| Format | Typical Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Brief | 5-15 minutes | News, quick tips |
| Standard | 20-45 minutes | Interviews, storytelling |
| Long-form | 1-2 hours | Deep dives, conversations |
| Extended | 2+ hours | Joe Rogan style |
Podcast Production Tips
- Mono for speech: Saves 50% file size with no quality loss for voice
- 128 kbps is standard: Most listeners can't tell the difference above this
- Normalize audio: Keep levels consistent at -16 LUFS for podcasts
- MP3 is universal: Works on all devices and podcast apps
- Compress before upload: Don't rely on hosting to compress
- Keep intro/outro short: Respect listener time
Hosting Considerations
- Bandwidth: Each download uses bandwidth - costs add up
- CDN: Use a CDN for faster global delivery
- Storage: Old episodes add up over time
- RSS feed: Keep your feed URL permanent
- Analytics: Track downloads per episode