Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Convert your audio to MP3 (the universal podcast format)
Go to formatdrop.com/wav-to-mp3 (for WAV source files), formatdrop.com/m4a-to-mp3 (for M4A/iPhone recordings or GarageBand exports), or formatdrop.com/flac-to-mp3 (for FLAC). All conversions happen in your browser — upload your source audio, download MP3. No recording software or server needed.
Go to converter - 2
Use the correct bitrate for your content
For speech-only podcasts (interviews, solo shows): 64 kbps mono is excellent — intelligible, small file size, accepted by all platforms. For interview podcasts with high production value: 128 kbps stereo. For music-heavy podcasts or if you want maximum quality: 192 kbps stereo. Spotify and Apple Podcasts automatically re-encode on their end, so submitting at 128 kbps stereo is a safe universal default.
- 3
Set the correct sample rate
Use 44.1 kHz sample rate for podcast audio — this is the standard for MP3 encoding and accepted by all podcast hosts. 48 kHz is the broadcast/video standard and also works for podcasts, but there's no benefit over 44.1 kHz for audio-only. Avoid 22 kHz or 11 kHz — these cut off frequencies that make voices sound muffled.
- 4
Check your audio for podcast submission requirements
Before uploading, verify: (1) File format is MP3. (2) Bitrate is 64–192 kbps depending on content type. (3) Sample rate is 44.1 kHz. (4) Mono for voice-only (reduces file size by 50% with no quality difference for speech). (5) File size under your podcast host's limit (most are 200 MB–2 GB per episode). (6) Length within platform limits (Spotify: unlimited; Apple: unlimited; YouTube Music: 18 hours max).
Why convert WAV to MP3?
MP3 became the standard podcast format by default — when RSS-based podcasting emerged in the early 2000s, MP3 was the only universally supported audio format. Every podcast app on every device plays MP3 without exceptions. More modern formats like AAC (M4A) and Opus have better quality-per-kilobyte, and Apple Podcasts does support AAC. But for maximum compatibility across every podcast platform, every podcast app, and every listener setup — including old car systems, cheap Bluetooth speakers, and Bluetooth headsets — MP3 is the safest choice. Spotify actually re-encodes your submitted audio to Ogg Vorbis for delivery; Apple re-encodes to AAC. So what you submit is just a source format for their encoders, and MP3 at 128 kbps stereo is a universally accepted, high-quality source.
Your files never leave your device
FormatDrop runs the conversion engine entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. No file upload. No server. Nothing stored. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching: zero upload requests.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best audio format for podcasts?
Should my podcast be mono or stereo?
My recording is WAV — should I submit WAV or convert to MP3?
No account. No upload. Works in any browser.