Audio Buffer Size Calculator

A buffer of 256 samples at 48,000 Hz lasts about 5.33 ms.

The audio buffer size formula

Buffer length in milliseconds equals the buffer size in samples divided by the sample rate in hertz, times 1,000.

The sample rate says how many samples pass each second.

Take 256 samples at 48,000 Hz. 256 ÷ 48,000 × 1,000 gives 5.333 ms.

Take 128 samples at 44,100 Hz. 128 ÷ 44,100 × 1,000 gives 2.902 ms.

Why a buffer adds delay

Audio latency is the time from when a signal enters a system until it leaves. It comes from converters, drivers, the sample rate, the buffer size and any delay in effects (MathWorks: Measure audio latency).

A buffer holds a block of samples, so its length in time is the number of samples divided by the samples per second.

How to convert audio buffer size step by step

1. Read the buffer size in samples from your audio settings.
2. Read the sample rate in hertz.
3. Divide the samples by the rate and multiply by 1,000.
4. Read how many buffers pass each second in the last column.

The three examples below use common sizes.

Each one shows the sum in full.

audio buffer size conversion table

The highlighted row is the default of the calculator. The last column gives per second.

A quick mental shortcut for audio buffer size

At 48,000 Hz, every 48 samples last 1 ms. So 480 samples last 10 ms.

Double the buffer and the length doubles. Double the sample rate and the length halves.

Higher rates give shorter buffers

The same number of samples lasts less time at a higher sample rate. A buffer of 256 samples lasts about 5.805 ms at 44,100 Hz, about 5.333 ms at 48,000 Hz and about 2.667 ms at 96,000 Hz.

Generally, latency is lower for higher sampling rates (MathWorks: Measure audio latency).

Worked examples

A buffer of 64 samples at 48,000 Hz lasts about 1.333 ms. A buffer of 128 samples lasts about 2.667 ms.

A buffer of 512 samples lasts about 10.67 ms, and a buffer of 1,024 samples lasts about 21.33 ms.

Choosing a size

A small buffer gives low delay but gives the computer less time to finish each block, so clicks and dropouts can happen.

A large buffer is safer for heavy projects but adds delay. Pick the smallest size that stays clean.

One buffer is not the full delay

This page gives the length of one buffer only. Converters, drivers and effects add more delay on top.

The audio latency page shows how several buffers add up.

Quick conversion answers

Where this conversion is used

Musicians and engineers check how long a buffer setting lasts.

Students link samples to time.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting the 1,000. The answer would be in seconds, not ms.
• Using the wrong sample rate. Check the project and the interface.
• Treating one buffer as total latency. Other delays add on.
• Dividing the rate by the samples without noting units. That gives buffers per second.

Related converters

• audio latency
• audio data rate
• audio file size
• BPM to ms

More buffer sizes and rates

48 samples at 48,000 Hz is 1 ms. 96 samples at 48,000 Hz is 2 ms. 192 samples at 48,000 Hz is 4 ms.

384 samples at 48,000 Hz is 8 ms. 768 samples at 48,000 Hz is 16 ms. 2,048 samples at 48,000 Hz is 42.67 ms.

300 samples at 44,100 Hz is 6.803 ms. 1,024 samples at 96,000 Hz is 10.67 ms. 2,048 samples at 96,000 Hz is 21.33 ms.

Doubling the first number

96 samples at 48,000 Hz is 2 ms. 192 samples at 48,000 Hz is 4 ms. 384 samples at 48,000 Hz is 8 ms.

768 samples at 48,000 Hz is 16 ms. 1,536 samples at 48,000 Hz is 32 ms. 4,096 samples at 48,000 Hz is 85.33 ms.

600 samples at 44,100 Hz is 13.61 ms. 2,048 samples at 96,000 Hz is 21.33 ms. 4,096 samples at 96,000 Hz is 42.67 ms.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• MathWorks: Measure audio latency (mathworks.com)