MP3 at 320 kbps. The ceiling, locked in.
When a label, distributor, DJ pool, or SoundCloud upload spec says "MP3 320," they mean 320 kbps CBR — the highest standard MP3 bitrate. Drop your WAV, FLAC, M4A or AIFF here. We re-encode to 320 CBR with the LAME encoder and hand you back the MP3. No upload, no quality menu to second-guess.
drop your audio file
WAV, FLAC, M4A, AIFF, OGG, OPUS — all welcome. Batch supported.
When you actually need 320 kbps
- SoundCloud demos — SC accepts up to 16-bit WAV but most artists upload 320 MP3 to save bandwidth without losing audible quality.
- Label / publisher submissions — A&R often request "320 MP3" as the standard preview format.
- DJ pools and crates — Beatport, Bandcamp, Traxsource all sell 320 MP3 as a tier; matching the format keeps your local library consistent.
- Bandcamp uploads — Bandcamp prefers lossless source, but if you're sharing a pre-release link, 320 MP3 is the right balance of size and quality.
- Mastering deliverables — When a client wants both WAV and MP3 versions of a master, 320 CBR is the standard MP3 spec.
- Radio submissions — Most college/community/online stations accept 320 MP3 over WAV to save server space.
320 CBR vs V0 VBR — what's the difference
VBR (variable bitrate) lets the encoder spend more bits on complex passages and fewer on silence or simple parts. V0 averages around 245 kbps but can momentarily spike to 320. It's often as transparent as 320 CBR for ~25% less file size.
So why CBR? Compatibility. Older players, some DJ software (older Pioneer CDJs especially), and certain podcast platforms only confidently support CBR. When a spec says "320 kbps MP3" without qualification, it means CBR. That's what this tool outputs.
If you specifically want VBR, our WAV → MP3 tool has the full quality menu.
What goes in
Any common audio format. Most useful sources:
- WAV — DAW bounce from Ableton, Logic, Reaper, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Studio One.
- AIFF — Logic Pro / GarageBand default bounce format.
- FLAC — lossless archives from Bandcamp, Qobuz, your own rips.
- M4A — already-AAC files you want re-encoded as MP3 for compatibility.
- OGG / OPUS — open-format sources.
FAQ
Is 320 kbps actually higher quality than 256?
Technically yes, audibly often no. In blind tests most listeners can't reliably distinguish 256 from 320 on consumer playback gear. But 320 is the spec people ask for, so 320 is what this page gives you.
Will re-encoding a 256 MP3 to 320 improve it?
No — and it'll slightly degrade. MP3 is lossy. Re-encoding throws away more information. Only encode to 320 from a lossless source (WAV, FLAC, AIFF). If your source is already MP3, leave it alone.
What sample rate does the MP3 use?
Whatever your source uses. 44.1 kHz source → 44.1 kHz MP3. 48 kHz source → 48 kHz MP3. We don't resample unless you ask us to (use the main converter for that).
What about stereo vs mono?
Stereo source stays stereo. Mono stays mono. If you want to force mono, use our stereo → mono tool first.
Why use this instead of the universal converter?
Convenience. If you know you want 320 CBR every time, this page skips the bitrate menu and just does it.
Does anything upload?
No. The LAME encoder runs in WebAssembly inside your browser. Your unreleased master never touches a server.
Is 320 kbps the highest MP3 quality?
Yes. 320 kbps CBR (constant bitrate) is the maximum standard MP3 setting. Above that you're into FLAC/WAV territory — lossless formats. For MP3, 320 is the ceiling.
Can I hear the difference between 320 kbps and lossless?
For most listeners, no — especially on consumer speakers or earbuds. On a high-end mastering setup with reference monitors, trained ears can sometimes spot artifacts on hi-hats, reverb tails, or very quiet passages. For SoundCloud, distribution, and demos, 320 is fine.
Why use 320 instead of V0 (variable bitrate)?
V0 averages around 245 kbps and sounds equivalent to 320 CBR most of the time, with smaller file size. But some platforms (older DJ software, certain streaming intake) ask for CBR specifically. If they want "MP3 320" they usually mean CBR. We default to CBR here for that reason.
What's the file size for a 4-minute song at 320 kbps?
Roughly 9.6 MB. 320 kbps = 320 kilobits per second = 40 kilobytes per second. Multiply by song length. A WAV of the same song is 40-50 MB, so 320 MP3 is about 4-5× smaller and still very close in quality.
Does my audio file get uploaded?
No. The encoding happens entirely in your browser tab. Your unreleased mix never leaves your machine.