What Audio Format Does DistroKid Need? WAV, Bit Depth and Sample Rate

Your track is finished, you open DistroKid, and then the upload form asks for an audio file. WAV or MP3? 16-bit or 24-bit? 44.1 or 48 kHz? Pick wrong and you either get an error or a release that sounds worse than it should.

Good news: DistroKid is pretty relaxed about formats. Here is what it accepts, what most people upload, and a quick checklist so your file is right the first time.

The short answer

Upload a WAV file at 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, exported straight from your mastered project. DistroKid itself calls that the typical upload in its help article on audio formats, and adds that pretty much anything works. If your master is 24-bit, you can upload that too.

Which file formats does DistroKid accept?

According to DistroKid's support pages, you can upload:

  • WAV
  • FLAC
  • AIFF
  • MP3
  • M4A
  • Windows Media (WMA)

So yes, an MP3 will technically go through. That does not mean it is a good idea. MP3 and M4A are lossy: some audio was thrown away when the file was made, and you can't get it back. Streaming services encode your upload again for playback, so starting from a lossless file (WAV, FLAC or AIFF) gives you the cleanest result.

Only have an MP3 of your song? Converting it to WAV won't bring back the lost quality. Go back to your DAW and export the master again if you still can.

16-bit or 24-bit?

Both work. 16-bit is what DistroKid describes as typical. 24-bit is fine too and it is often what your DAW or mastering engineer gives you anyway. There is no reason to convert a good 24-bit master down to 16-bit just for DistroKid.

One thing to know: Apple Music shows a Hi-Res Lossless badge only when the file is lossless, at least 24-bit and above 48 kHz, according to DistroKid's article on Apple Music audio badges. A regular lossless file (WAV, FLAC, AIFF) gets the normal Lossless badge. If your project was made at 44.1 kHz, upsampling it later won't add real detail, so don't chase the badge with a converter.

Want the full story on bit depth? Read 16-bit vs 24-bit audio.

44.1 kHz or 48 kHz?

44.1 kHz is the standard for music and the one DistroKid mentions as typical. If you recorded and mixed at 48 kHz, you can export at 48 kHz too. What matters most is that you export at the rate your project already runs at, instead of converting back and forth. More on that in 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.

File size and length limits

DistroKid lists these limits in the same help article:

  • One audio file can be up to 1 GB.
  • Each track must be shorter than 5 hours.
  • A full album can't be longer than 10 hours.
  • Albums can't have songs that average less than 60 seconds per track.

For a normal 3 minute song, you'll never get close to 1 GB with a WAV. If you do upload something very long, DistroKid suggests FLAC: same quality as WAV, smaller file. Not sure which one fits you? See FLAC vs WAV.

How loud should the file be?

DistroKid doesn't set a loudness rule, but the platforms you're sending to do turn tracks up or down. Spotify, for example, recommends aiming for around -14 LUFS integrated and keeping true peaks below -1 dBTP, or below -2 dBTP if your master is louder than -14 LUFS (source: Spotify for Artists).

That doesn't mean you must hit -14 exactly. It means a crushed, clipping master won't win you anything after normalization. Before you upload, drop your WAV into our free Master Checker. It shows your LUFS and true peak and what Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music will do with your track. Your file stays on your own device. For the details, read how many LUFS for Spotify and what true peak is.

Pre-upload checklist

  1. Export from the master, not from a preview. No MP3 you sent to a friend, no WhatsApp file, no YouTube rip.
  2. Pick WAV (or FLAC/AIFF). 16-bit or 24-bit, at the sample rate your project uses.
  3. Listen to the full file once. Check the start and end for clicks, cut-off reverb tails or long silence.
  4. Check loudness and peaks with the Master Checker.
  5. Name your file clearly, for example "Artist - Title (Master).wav", so you upload the right version.
  6. Prepare your cover separately. Artwork has its own rules: see cover art requirements.

Got your master as an MP3, M4A or AIFF and need a WAV for something else in your workflow? The free Audio Converter does it in your browser without uploading anything (FLAC and 24-bit WAV are in the Pro version). Just remember: converting a lossy file to WAV changes the format, not the quality.

Common upload problems

"File size too small" error

DistroKid says this is usually caused by an unstable internet connection during the upload. Its advice: delete the upload with the error, check your connection (wired is best) and upload again. Also double-check that the file itself isn't actually empty or cut short.

I uploaded the wrong mix or master

DistroKid has an Audio Swap feature to replace the audio on a live release for small fixes like a wrong mix or master. According to its help pages it's only available on the Ultimate plan, and a completely different song needs a new release. Easiest fix: check your file properly before you hit upload.

FAQ

Can I upload an MP3 to DistroKid?

Yes, MP3 is on DistroKid's list of accepted formats. A WAV or FLAC from your original master is still the better choice, because an MP3 has already lost some audio.

Does DistroKid accept 24-bit WAV?

Yes. DistroKid calls 16-bit, 44.1 kHz typical but says pretty much anything works, and 24-bit lossless files are needed for Apple's Hi-Res Lossless badge.

Should I upload WAV or FLAC?

Both are lossless, so the quality is the same. WAV is the most common. FLAC is handy when a file gets close to the 1 GB limit.

Does DistroKid master my song?

DistroKid distributes the file you give it, so make sure that file is your finished master. Not happy with your mix yet? You can have your track mixed and mastered by NameOnTheBeat and get back a release-ready WAV.

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