Audio Latency Calculator
Calculate audio latency from buffer size and sample rate.
Find the right settings for recording, live performance, and gaming.
Audio Latency is the delay between when a sound is produced and when you hear it through your monitoring system. In music production and live performance, low latency is essential for real-time playing.
Formula:
Latency (ms) = (Buffer Size / Sample Rate) × 1000
For round-trip latency (input + output):
Round-trip = Input latency + Output latency = 2 × (Buffer Size / Sample Rate) × 1000
Where:
- Buffer Size = Number of audio samples in the buffer (e.g., 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024)
- Sample Rate = Samples per second (e.g., 44,100 Hz, 48,000 Hz, 96,000 Hz)
Common Buffer Sizes and Latencies (at 44,100 Hz):
| Buffer Size | One-Way Latency | Round-Trip |
|---|---|---|
| 32 samples | 0.7 ms | 1.5 ms |
| 64 samples | 1.5 ms | 2.9 ms |
| 128 samples | 2.9 ms | 5.8 ms |
| 256 samples | 5.8 ms | 11.6 ms |
| 512 samples | 11.6 ms | 23.2 ms |
| 1024 samples | 23.2 ms | 46.4 ms |
| 2048 samples | 46.4 ms | 92.9 ms |
Perceptibility Thresholds:
| Latency | Perception |
|---|---|
| Under 5 ms | Imperceptible — ideal for live playing |
| 5–10 ms | Barely noticeable — acceptable for most musicians |
| 10–20 ms | Noticeable — like standing 10–20 ft from an amp |
| 20–30 ms | Clearly audible delay — uncomfortable for live playing |
| Over 30 ms | Distracting — only usable for mixing, not live input |
Sample Rate Effects: Higher sample rates reduce latency for the same buffer size:
- 128 samples at 44.1 kHz = 2.9 ms
- 128 samples at 96 kHz = 1.3 ms
- 128 samples at 192 kHz = 0.7 ms
Additional Latency Sources: Real-world latency includes more than just the audio buffer:
- Driver overhead: 1–3 ms (ASIO is fastest on Windows)
- Plugin processing: 0–10 ms depending on plugin type
- USB/Thunderbolt interface: 1–2 ms
- Converter latency: 0.5–1.5 ms (A/D and D/A conversion)
Typical total round-trip with overhead: buffer latency × 2 + 3–7 ms.
Practical Example: Recording guitar through a USB interface at 48 kHz with a 128-sample buffer: One-way: 128 / 48,000 × 1000 = 2.67 ms. Round-trip: ~5.3 ms + ~4 ms overhead = ~9.3 ms total. Comfortable for playing.
Tips:
- Use ASIO drivers on Windows for lowest latency. macOS Core Audio is already efficient.
- Lower buffer = lower latency but higher CPU load. If you hear crackling, increase the buffer.
- When mixing (not recording live), use a larger buffer to reduce CPU strain.
- Freeze/render CPU-heavy tracks to free up processing power for smaller buffers.