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Jabarinni's avatar
Jabarinni
Brass Contributor
Jun 11, 2026

How can I compress an audio file to under 16MB on Windows?

I have dozens of audio files on my Windows 10 PC that is too large to upload because of a 16MB file size limit. The audio quality is important, but the file needs to be reduced enough to meet the upl...
ColtonBrown's avatar
ColtonBrown
Bronze Contributor
Jun 12, 2026

HandBrake is a media tool that can compress audio file to 16 mb. Primarily designed for video conversion, it also offers a useful audio-only mode for adjusting audio parameters and reducing file size.

How to Compress audio file to 16 MB

Step 1: Download and install the software from the official website.

Step 2: Launch the software, then drag and drop an audio file or a video file containing audio into the program.

Step 3: Click Presets, go to the Web tab, and select an appropriate preset.

Step 4: Switch to the Audio tab.

Step 5: Set the bitrate to the target value, 96 kbps.

Step 6: Set the sample rate to 44100 or 22050.

Finally, click Start to begin the compression process.

By adjusting the bitrate and sample rate, you can precisely compress an audio file to 16 MB. If you already use software for media processing, this method will be very convenient.

Cons

  • Primarily designed for video processing, so the audio interface has not been specifically optimized
  • Lacks professional audio editing features compared to dedicated audio compression tools
  • Setting parameters too low may result in a noticeable decline in audio quality