Audio Metadata Viewer
Audio Metadata Viewer identifies the format and reports details such as duration, channel count, sample rate, and bitrate when the file exposes them. It is useful for checking an export before publishing or diagnosing why two recordings with similar names have very different sizes. The file is inspected locally in your browser.
Runs locally — files stay on your deviceWhat can audio metadata tell me?
It describes how the recording is stored: its duration, format, channels, sample rate, bitrate, and other technical properties. It does not transcribe or judge the sound itself.
Audio metadata and stream properties
An audio file combines encoded sound with descriptive fields. Stream properties such as sample rate and channel count affect playback and editing, while tags may hold a title, artist, album, or date. A missing field usually means it was never written, not that the file is damaged.
How it works
Choose a recording and wait for the browser to read its header and media information. Compare the reported format, duration, channels, sample rate, and bitrate with the requirements of the player or publishing service you plan to use.
Key concepts
Container, codec, and tags
The filename extension usually names a container. The codec describes how sound is encoded, while tags are optional descriptive values. These three concepts can differ even inside files that look similar.
Bitrate is contextual
A higher bitrate often preserves more information for the same codec, but bitrate comparisons across different codecs, channel layouts, and source recordings are not direct quality rankings.
When to use it
- Confirm whether a recording is mono or stereo before delivery.
- Compare the technical properties of two exports.
- Check duration and encoding details without opening a full audio editor.
When not to use it
- Do not use metadata alone to assess audible quality.
- Do not assume a filename extension proves the underlying codec.
- Do not expect tags to be present in every container format.
Worked examples
Podcast delivery check
- Input
A newly exported episode- Expected output
Duration, stereo channels, sample rate, and available bitrate
The producer can compare the export with the host's delivery specification.
Unexpectedly large recording
- Input
Two files with the same duration- Expected output
Different formats, channel counts, or bitrates
Technical metadata can explain a size difference without altering either file.
Missing title tag
- Input
A recording whose player shows no title- Expected output
No embedded title value
The viewer distinguishes absent descriptive metadata from playback failure.
Common mistakes
Treating bitrate as a quality score
Codec efficiency and source quality also matter. Correction: Compare bitrate only alongside format, channels, and listening tests.
Confusing sample rate with bit depth
Sample rate measures samples per second; bit depth measures precision per sample and may not be exposed. Correction: Use the field names separately and avoid inferring an unreported value.
Expecting metadata edits
This page is an inspector, not a tag editor. Correction: Use a dedicated metadata editor when tags must be changed.
Best practices
- Keep an original copy before using Audio Metadata Viewer.
- Use consistent input formats and units for info.
- Review the Audio Metadata Viewer result in the system where it will be used.
Related operations and differences
Change Audio Volume
Choose Change Audio Volume when you need to adjust audio gain and export a WAV copy.; use Audio Metadata Viewer specifically for info.
Convert Audio to Mono
Choose Convert Audio to Mono when you need to mix all audio channels into one WAV channel.; use Audio Metadata Viewer specifically for info.
Fade In Audio
Choose Fade In Audio when you need to apply a linear fade-in across an audio file.; use Audio Metadata Viewer specifically for info.
Fade Out Audio
Choose Fade Out Audio when you need to apply a linear fade-out across an audio file.; use Audio Metadata Viewer specifically for info.
Reverse Audio
Choose Reverse Audio when you need to reverse an audio file and export it as WAV.; use Audio Metadata Viewer specifically for info.
Trim Audio
Choose Trim Audio when you need to export a selected time range as a WAV file.; use Audio Metadata Viewer specifically for info.
Limitations and privacy
- Browser media support determines which formats can be inspected.
- Some containers omit bitrate or store values that can only be estimated.
- The page does not decode speech, detect loudness, or verify perceptual quality.
Audio processing takes place in this browser. The selected recording is not uploaded to Toolbox.
Frequently asked questions
Does Audio Metadata Viewer upload my recording?
No. The selected file is inspected by browser code on this device.
Why is a metadata field blank?
The file may not contain that tag, or the browser may not expose it for that format.
Is sample rate the same as bitrate?
No. Sample rate counts samples per second; bitrate measures encoded data per second.
Can metadata prove an audio file sounds good?
No. It describes technical properties, while audible quality also depends on the source, processing, codec, and listener.