How to Convert Audio for WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
Every platform has its own rules about what audio it will accept — different formats, different size limits, different length caps. Getting them wrong means failed uploads, silent videos, or automatic re-encoding that quietly degrades your sound. Here is what each platform wants, and how to deliver it without installing anything.
WhatsApp accepts MP3, M4A, AAC, AMR and OGG voice notes. For general audio sharing (not voice notes), MP3 is the most reliable choice. The file size limit for shared audio is 16 MB on most plans, raised to 2 GB for document sharing in some regions. Voice notes are recorded and sent as OGG Opus internally. If you are sending a music clip or podcast segment, keep it under 16 MB to be safe — a 128 kbps MP3 gives you about 16 minutes in that budget.
Instagram Reels and Stories
Instagram does not let you upload a standalone audio file — audio has to be part of a video. The audio track inside your video should be AAC-encoded (standard for any MP4 file), stereo, 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, at 128 kbps or higher. Instagram will re-encode everything on upload, so feeding it high-quality audio means the output after compression stays as good as possible. Keep Reels under 90 seconds and Stories under 60 seconds.
If you have an audio-only track you want to post, pair it with a static image or simple video in a video editor to create an MP4, then upload that.
TikTok
Like Instagram, TikTok requires audio as part of a video (MP4 or MOV). The audio inside should be AAC, 44.1 kHz, stereo, 128 kbps or above. TikTok re-encodes uploads aggressively, so start with the highest quality audio you have — preferably from a WAV or high-bitrate MP3. Videos can be 15 seconds to 10 minutes depending on your account. For the cleanest audio after TikTok's compression, avoid audio that is already at a low bitrate.
YouTube
YouTube accepts almost any video container with AAC, MP3 or AC3 audio. It recommends AAC-LC at 384 kbps for stereo, inside an MP4 container. It re-encodes everything, but starting from high-quality audio makes a real difference to what survives. For audio-only content, many creators export a video with a static background image and high-quality AAC audio — YouTube treats it as a normal video and its audio processing is relatively gentle.
Podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts)
Podcast directories typically want MP3 files with a bitrate of 128 kbps (mono) or 192 kbps (stereo), 44.1 kHz, CBR (constant bitrate). Spotify for Podcasters and Apple Podcasts both accept these specs. Keep individual episode files under 200 MB. Clean audio matters more here than anywhere — a platform that streams audio-only will expose any quality issues plainly.
Converting to the right format
The Audio Converter handles M4A, WAV, OGG, FLAC and MP3 in either direction, all in your browser. For WhatsApp: convert to MP3 at 128 kbps. For podcast platforms: MP3 at 128 or 192 kbps. For social video audio tracks: export your audio as a high-quality WAV, then combine with video in your editing app before uploading.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my audio sound worse after uploading to Instagram? Instagram re-encodes audio aggressively. Start with the highest quality you have (WAV or 320 kbps MP3) to minimise the impact of its compression.
Can I send a WAV file on WhatsApp? Not directly — WhatsApp does not support WAV as a voice note. Convert it to MP3 first using the Audio Converter.
Does TikTok accept MP3? Not as a standalone file. Audio has to be embedded in a video (MP4 or MOV).