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Audio Bit Depth Converter - Online 16‑bit ↔ 24‑bit

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Audio Bit Depth Converter

Convert audio between 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit float — online, free, no uploads to server.

Drop your audio file here

or click to browse — WAV, FLAC, MP3, AIFF, OGG supported

Max file size: 100 MB

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Waveform preview — decoded at original sample rate

File Size

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Target Bit Depth
16-bit
CD Quality
24-bit
Studio Master
32-bit float
Production
Conversion Complete

Processing audio, please wait...

Frequently Asked Questions

Bit depth defines how many bits are used to represent each audio sample. It determines the dynamic range — the difference between the quietest and loudest possible sound. 16-bit audio provides 96 dB of dynamic range (CD quality), while 24-bit offers 144 dB (studio master quality). Higher bit depth means lower noise floor and more headroom for recording and processing. 32-bit float is commonly used in DAWs for its virtually unlimited headroom during mixing.

16-bit → 24-bit: Use when preparing files for studio mixing or mastering. The extra bits provide more precision for effects processing. Note: up-converting won't restore information already lost in a 16-bit recording.

24-bit → 16-bit: Use for final distribution (CD, streaming platforms). Apply dithering to preserve low-level detail and avoid quantization distortion. This is the most common use case for this converter.
Dithering adds a tiny amount of random noise (at the level of the least significant bit) before reducing bit depth. This randomizes quantization errors, transforming harsh digital distortion into a benign, barely audible hiss. Triangular dither (used in this tool) is the industry standard — it provides the best balance between noise floor and distortion reduction. Enable dithering when converting to a lower bit depth (e.g., 24→16). For up-conversion (16→24), dithering is unnecessary.

Down-conversion (24→16 bit) without dithering: Can introduce quantization distortion, especially noticeable in quiet passages or fade-outs. With proper dithering, the quality loss is minimal and generally inaudible.

Up-conversion (16→24 bit): No quality loss — the original 16-bit data fits perfectly within the 24-bit container. However, it won't magically add detail that wasn't captured in the original recording.

32-bit float ↔ integer: 32-bit float has 24 bits of mantissa precision, so conversions between 24-bit integer and 32-bit float are essentially lossless for audio purposes.

Input: WAV, FLAC, MP3, AIFF, OGG, and most audio formats supported by your browser's audio decoder. WAV files provide the most accurate original bit depth detection.

Output: Always WAV (PCM) for 16-bit and 24-bit, and WAV (IEEE float) for 32-bit float. WAV is universally compatible and lossless, making it ideal for bit depth conversion. The sample rate and channel configuration are preserved from the original file.

No server upload — everything happens locally in your browser. This tool uses the Web Audio API to decode your audio file, then re-encodes it at your chosen bit depth directly on your device. Your audio never leaves your computer. This ensures privacy, speed, and security. The conversion is performed entirely client-side using JavaScript.

Bit depth = vertical resolution (amplitude precision, dynamic range).
Sample rate = horizontal resolution (frequency range, measured in Hz).

For example, CD audio is 16-bit / 44.1 kHz — 44,100 samples per second, each 16 bits. Higher sample rates (96 kHz, 192 kHz) capture frequencies beyond human hearing (above 20 kHz) and are used in professional recording to avoid aliasing artifacts during processing. This tool only changes bit depth; the sample rate remains unchanged.

Currently, this tool processes one file at a time to ensure optimal performance and avoid browser memory issues with large audio files. For batch processing, we recommend using a desktop DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or a dedicated batch audio converter like FFmpeg. You can quickly convert multiple files by repeating the process — the tool resets instantly after each conversion.

• CD mastering: Convert 24-bit/48kHz studio masters to 16-bit/44.1kHz for CD production.
• Streaming preparation: Most streaming platforms prefer 24-bit uploads but deliver 16-bit to listeners.
• Archiving: Convert legacy 16-bit recordings to 24-bit for archival preservation before restoration work.
• DAW import: Match bit depth across all tracks in a project for consistent processing.
• Sample library management: Standardize sample packs to a uniform bit depth.
• Forensic audio: Preserve maximum detail when working with quiet or noisy recordings.
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