SoundCloud supports a wide range of audio formats and automatically optimizes uploads for streaming. This guide covers:

• Which files you can upload

• Recommended formats for best quality

• Common upload issues to avoid

Supported audio file formats

SoundCloud supports a variety of audio codecs and containers. Currently supported formats include:

WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, AAC, Ogg / Vorbis, MP4, MP2, M4A, 3GP, 3G2, MJ2, WMA, and AMR

Recommended file formats (best quality)

For optimal audio fidelity, use lossless formats:

• WAV

• FLAC

• AIFF

• ALAC

Why lossless?

• Preserves all audio data

• Produces the highest quality after SoundCloud’s transcoding

• Provides the best listening experience for your fans

Comparison of Lossless vs. Lossy Formats

Best audio settings for upload

To get the best playback quality:

• Upload stereo files

• Recommended: 16-bit / 44.1 kHz or higher-quality source

• Leave –0.5 to –1 dBFS headroom to avoid clipping

Pro Tip: If you enable downloads on a track, listeners receive the original file format you uploaded, without additional transcoding.

File size and duration limits

• Maximum file size: 4 GB (uncompressed)

• Maximum track length: 24 hours

If your file exceeds either limit, split it into multiple uploads.

Upload limits by subscription

You can view the remaining upload time from your SoundCloud Tracks page.

High-quality streaming availability

• Uploading lossless stereo files ensures the best streaming quality across devices.

• SoundCloud transcodes your audio into high-quality streaming formats (like AAC), but starting with a lossless file gives listeners the most detailed sound.