PCM Bit Rate Calculator

PCM Bit Rate Formula

Worked Example

Telephone-quality speech: 8 bits at 8 kHz, one channel:

1. R = n × fₛ × channels = 8 × 8000 × 1
2. R = 64000 bit/s
3. SQNR = 6.02 × 8 + 1.76 = 49.92 dB

Quantisation levels 2ⁿ: 256 · SQNR (full-scale sine) 6.02n + 1.76: 49.92 dB · Minimum bandwidth (Nyquist) R/2: 32 kHz

GATE tip

For a signal of bandwidth W sampled at the Nyquist rate, R = 2nW. To meet an SQNR target, solve 6.02n + 1.76 ≥ target for the smallest integer n first.

More Communication Calculators

• FM Bandwidth Calculator

  B ≈ 2(Δf + f_m), β = Δf/f_m

  sideband n has amplitude Jₙ(β) of the unmodulated carrier

  Example: Broadcast FM with 75 kHz peak deviation and 15 kHz audio: Carson bandwidth = 180 kHz.

  Open the fm bandwidth calculator →

• AM Modulation Calculator

  m = (V_max − V_min)/(V_max + V_min), Pₜ = P_c(1 + m²/2)

  each sideband P_c m²/4; efficiency m²/(2 + m²); bandwidth 2f_m

  Example: An AM envelope swinging between 15 V and 5 V on a 100 W carrier with 5 kHz audio: Modulation index m = 0.5.

  Open the am modulation calculator →

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures .

Last reviewed: 2026-10-15. Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.