Audio file formats for Spotify
We strongly prefer the Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) format for audio delivery.
Your audio must meet these specs:
- Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or higher
- Bit depth: 16-bit or higher
- Channels: Stereo (2-channel)
We also accept Waveform Audio File Format (WAV) files under the same specs, though we prefer FLAC.
WAV files must:
- Use format code 0x0001 (WAVE_FORMAT_PCM). Don't use 0xFFFE (WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE)
- Contain valid fmt and data subchunks
- Include only audio data following the start of the data subchunk
We only accept full tracks. Don't deliver sample clips.
Delivery and processing details
- WAV files are losslessly converted to FLAC before playback.
- Tracks delivered at sample rates higher than 44.1 kHz (e.g., 48 kHz, 96 kHz) or bit depths higher than 24-bit are downsampled and/or reduced to a maximum of 44.1 kHz / 24-bit FLAC for playback on supported clients, with a fallback to 16-bit FLAC for backward compatibility.
- Tracks with sample rates lower than 44.1 kHz (e.g., 28 kHz) or bit depths lower than 16-bit are upconverted to 44.1 kHz / 16-bit, but aren't offered as lossless
- Don't downsample or reduce quality before delivery. We prefer highest-quality masters — we handle any necessary optimization internally to suit the playback framework.
- Deliver the highest quality audio file available.
- We only support one stereo master per track. For example, if a 24-bit / 96 kHz file is available, there's no need to also deliver a 16-bit / 44.1 kHz version of the same track.
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