Source: https://mactoolbox.app/glossary/sample-rate

# What is sample rate?

By Nikhil Barik · Published November 3, 2026

## Quick answer

Sample rate is how many times per second digital audio is measured, written in hertz. CD audio uses 44.1 kHz, and video usually uses 48 kHz.

## What it is

Each measurement is a sample. A higher rate can represent higher frequencies. 44.1 kHz is enough to cover the range humans hear, and higher rates are mostly used while recording and editing.

## Why it matters on a Mac

Mixing files with different rates in an editor can force conversion. Video projects usually expect 48 kHz.

## How to check it on macOS

Select an audio file in Finder and press Command-I, or open Audio MIDI Setup to see a device's rate. Media Info in Toolbox lists the sample rate of each audio track.

## How Toolbox handles it

Convert Audio lets you keep the original sample rate or pick another, and keeps 24-bit sources at 24-bit for lossless formats.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is a higher sample rate better?**

Not for listening. Beyond 44.1 or 48 kHz most people hear no difference.

**Is sample rate the same as bitrate?**

No. Sample rate is measurements per second. Bitrate is data per second.

**Which rate should I choose?**

Keep the original unless a project needs a specific one.

## Tools mentioned

- [**Convert Audio**: Change audio files to MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC or AIFF.](https://mactoolbox.app/convert-audio-to-mp3-mac)
- [**Media Info**: See the codec, resolution, frame rate, bitrate and metadata of videos and audio.](https://mactoolbox.app/video-codec-info-mac)
- [**Extract Audio**: Save the soundtrack of a video as an audio file.](https://mactoolbox.app/extract-audio-from-video-mac)

## Keep reading

- [Convert Audio](https://mactoolbox.app/convert-audio-to-mp3-mac)
- [Media Info](https://mactoolbox.app/video-codec-info-mac)
- [Bitrate](https://mactoolbox.app/glossary/bitrate)