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Can we directly set the bitrate in a WAV file?

siva s 0 Reputation points
2025-08-08T09:42:47.5266667+00:00

I’m working with WAV audio files and would like to know if it's possible to directly set a specific bitrate (e.g., 128 kbps or 256 kbps) for a WAV file.

From what I understand, WAV files are typically uncompressed (PCM), and their bitrate is derived from parameters like sample rate, bit depth, and channel count.

  1. Can the bitrate be explicitly set in a WAV file header?
  2. If not, how is the bitrate calculated?
Developer technologies | Small BASIC
Developer technologies | Small BASIC
A programming language created by Microsoft that serves a stepping stone for beginners from block-based coding languages to more complex text-based languages.

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  1. Osvaldo Alves 75 Reputation points
    2025-11-27T02:53:47.16+00:00

    Hi, Siva,
    You're correct: WAV files (when using PCM) are uncompressed, and because of that you cannot explicitly set a bitrate in the WAV header the same way you do with MP3, AAC, etc.

    There is no field in the WAV/RIFF header for “bitrate” as an independent value.

    The “bitrate” is always derived, never stored.

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