How to Compress Audio Files (Reduce Size, Free)

Lossless recordings and high-bitrate exports can be huge — too big to email or upload. The Audio Compressor shrinks audio by lowering the bitrate, in your browser, so you keep usable quality at a fraction of the size.
How audio compression works
Bitrate is how much data the audio uses per second. Lowering it removes detail your ears are least likely to miss. For speech, you can go very low (64 kbps or less) with no real loss; for music, 128-192 kbps keeps things pleasant while cutting size dramatically from a lossless source.
How to compress audio
- Open the Audio Compressor and add your file. 2. Pick a target bitrate — lower for smaller files. 3. Compress and download the MP3. The processing is local, so your audio stays private.
Picking the right bitrate
Use 128 kbps for general music, 96 kbps for podcasts, and 64 kbps or lower for voice memos and lectures. If you also need a different format, run it through the Audio Converter first, then compress.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an audio file smaller?
Open the Audio Compressor, choose a lower bitrate, and download — the file shrinks while staying usable.
What bitrate should I use?
128 kbps for music, 96 kbps for podcasts, and 64 kbps or lower for speech where size matters most.
Is my audio uploaded?
No. Compression happens in your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
Will compression hurt quality?
Some detail is removed, but at sensible bitrates the difference is hard to hear, especially for speech.
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