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SoundCloud Specs
SoundCloud is the one major platform where you upload files directly, so its specs apply to you immediately - no distributor in between.
Artwork
| Track artwork | 800×800 px or larger recommended; square looks best |
| Format | JPEG or PNG, under 2 MB |
| Profile header | 2480×520 px |
Audio
| Upload formats | WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, AAC, OGG |
| Recommended | 16-bit 44.1 kHz WAV or FLAC |
| Streaming codec | MP3 128 kbps (free), AAC 256 kbps (Next Pro) |
Loudness
| Normalisation | None - SoundCloud does not normalise loudness |
| Practical advice | Playback and transcoding still affect how listeners hear your upload |
Worth knowing
- Because there is no normalisation, loud masters genuinely sound louder on SoundCloud - one reason club music culture lives there.
- Upload time limits vary by plan. Check SoundCloud’s current account limits before planning a catalogue upload.
Source: SoundCloud Help Center · Last verified 2026-09-27