Launching a podcast involves many creative and technical decisions: your topic, recording setup, hosting platform, and how you’ll connect with your audience. But one decision that often gets overlooked until the very end is which audio format you should use to publish your podcast episodes.

It might seem like a small detail, but your choice of audio format can directly affect sound quality, file size, streaming performance, and how accessible your show is to listeners across different platforms. Let’s dive into the most popular formats—MP3, WAV, and AAC—and explore which is best for podcasting.

 

Why Audio Format Matters for Podcasts

Podcasts are fundamentally an audio-first medium, and listeners expect clarity and consistency. Unlike music, which may demand ultra-high fidelity, podcasts strike a balance: the format should sound professional, but also be practical for distribution.

Here’s why format matters:

  1. File Size and Storage – Larger files consume more server space and take longer to download.

  2. Streaming Performance – Listeners streaming on mobile devices don’t want buffering or data-heavy episodes.

  3. Compatibility – Not all podcast apps and platforms handle every file type equally well.

  4. Audio Quality – The format affects how clean and natural voices sound.

 

The Most Common Podcast Audio Formats

1. MP3

MP3 is by far the most widely used podcast format. It’s a lossy compression format, which means it reduces file size by discarding parts of the audio that are less perceptible to the human ear.

  • Pros:

    • Universally supported across all podcast apps, devices, and platforms.

    • Small file sizes (easy to stream and download).

    • Efficient balance of quality and convenience at bitrates of 128–192 kbps.

  • Cons:

    • Lossy compression means you lose some audio fidelity compared to uncompressed formats.

    • Multiple exports or re-encodes can compound quality loss.

Best use case: Publishing final podcast episodes for general distribution.

 

2. WAV

WAV is an uncompressed, lossless audio format, commonly used in recording studios and professional editing environments.

  • Pros:

    • Highest possible audio quality with no compression artifacts.

    • Excellent for editing and mastering audio.

    • Preserves all sound detail, making voices sound fuller and cleaner.

  • Cons:

    • Very large file sizes (a 60-minute WAV file can be hundreds of MBs).

    • Impractical for distribution, since most podcast platforms and apps don’t stream uncompressed audio.

Best use case: Recording, editing, and mastering your podcast before exporting to MP3 or AAC.

 

3. AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

AAC is a newer lossy compression format that generally delivers better sound than MP3 at similar bitrates. It’s the standard for many streaming services, including Apple Music and YouTube.

  • Pros:

    • Higher efficiency—smaller file sizes with better perceived quality.

    • Supported by major platforms, including Apple Podcasts.

    • Can be ideal for voice-based content at lower bitrates (96–128 kbps).

  • Cons:

    • Not as universally supported as MP3, especially on older devices.

    • Some podcast hosting platforms still default to MP3.

Best use case: When your audience primarily listens through platforms that support AAC (like Apple Podcasts) and you want smaller files without much loss in quality.

 

4. Other Formats (FLAC, OGG, M4A)

  • FLAC is lossless but compressed, offering smaller sizes than WAV while maintaining quality. However, support across podcast platforms is inconsistent.

  • OGG is open-source and efficient but lacks widespread compatibility.

  • M4A is essentially AAC in an Apple-friendly container, supported on iTunes but less universal elsewhere.

These formats may be valuable in niche workflows but are not the best choice for mainstream podcast distribution.

 

Bitrate and Sampling Rate: Just as Important as Format

Beyond choosing the file type, you’ll also need to set bitrate (the amount of data processed per second) and sample rate (how frequently audio is captured per second).

  • Common podcast bitrates:

    • 64 kbps (mono speech-focused, smallest file size)

    • 96–128 kbps (balanced, widely used for spoken-word shows)

    • 192 kbps+ (high quality, used for music-heavy podcasts)

  • Sample rate:

    • 44.1 kHz is the standard for audio.

    • 48 kHz is sometimes used for video-oriented podcasts but is not essential.

Choosing the right bitrate and sample rate is just as critical as format for balancing quality and file size.

 

Industry Standards for Podcast Audio

Most established podcasters and hosting platforms agree on a few best practices:

  • Record and edit in WAV for maximum quality during production.

  • Export to MP3 for publishing, usually at 128 kbps stereo or 96 kbps mono.

  • Stick with 44.1 kHz sample rate, which is universally compatible.

Some podcasters also provide AAC versions for Apple Podcasts or offer a “high-quality feed” for audiophile listeners, but MP3 remains the default.

 

Which Format Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

  • Choose MP3 if:

    • You want universal compatibility.

    • Your goal is efficient streaming and downloading for your audience.

    • You prefer simplicity and reliability.

  • Choose WAV if:

    • You’re in the recording and editing stage.

    • You want to archive a master copy of your episodes in full quality.

    • You need lossless audio for repurposing content later.

  • Choose AAC if:

    • Your audience is heavily Apple-based.

    • You want smaller files without noticeable quality loss.

    • Your hosting platform supports AAC.

 

Practical Tips for Podcast Audio Success

  1. Keep a WAV Master Copy – Always archive your episodes in WAV for future use, even if you publish in MP3.

  2. Use Mono When Possible – For spoken-word podcasts, mono MP3 at 96 kbps sounds great and keeps files small.

  3. Normalize Audio Levels – Consistent volume ensures a better listener experience across episodes.

  4. Test Before Publishing – Export in both MP3 and AAC, then listen on different devices (smartphones, headphones, speakers) to hear the differences.

  5. Don’t Overthink It – While audio format matters, content is king. A great story or interview will engage listeners even if it’s in 96 kbps mono MP3.

 

Conclusion

So, which audio format should you use for your podcast?

  • For recording and editing, use WAV to preserve maximum quality.

  • For publishing and distribution, MP3 remains the best choice thanks to its universal compatibility and efficient file sizes.

  • For specific audiences or platforms, AAC can be a great alternative, but it’s not as widely supported as MP3.

At the end of the day, your podcast’s content, clarity, and consistency will matter more than whether you export in MP3, WAV, or AAC. But by choosing the right format for the right stage, you’ll ensure your show sounds professional while staying accessible to your audience.