How this tool works
The calculator converts every track into seconds, adds them together and converts the total back into hours, minutes and seconds. From the same list it works out the average track length, finds the longest and shortest songs, and checks the running time against common physical formats.
Total runtime = sum of all track lengths
Rows you leave completely empty are skipped and the tool tells you how many it ignored, so you can keep a few spare rows while you finalise the running order. A row with a title but no length is flagged rather than silently counted as zero.
Vinyl split. Records have two sides and you cannot move a song halfway across, so the tool looks for the point in your running order that makes the longer side as short as possible. It keeps your sequence intact. If the whole project runs past roughly 44 minutes it suggests a split across four sides (a double LP) instead.
CD check. A standard audio CD holds about 74 minutes, and 80-minute discs are widely used. The tool tells you which you fit into, and warns you if you are over 80 minutes.
Store format. Many distributors and download stores use a rule of thumb along the lines of: one to three tracks under 30 minutes in total is a single; four to six tracks under 30 minutes is an EP; seven or more tracks, or anything over 30 minutes, is an album. The tool applies that common version of the rule, but you should always check your own distributor’s current guidance.
How to use this tool
- Optionally type the project title — it appears at the top of your copied tracklist.
- For each song, enter a title (optional) and its length in minutes and seconds. Seconds must be a whole number from 0 to 59, so a 3:07 song is 3 minutes and 7 seconds.
- Press + Add track for each extra song. Use Remove to delete a row. Results update as you type.
- Read the totals, then check the vinyl and CD notes if you are planning a physical release.
- Press Copy tracklist to copy a numbered list with each duration and the total runtime.
Tip: take lengths from your final masters rather than from rough mixes or a streaming app. Fades, edits and the silence between songs can change the running time by several seconds per track, and that adds up across an album.
Example calculation
Imagine a six-track EP with these masters:
| # | Track | Length | Seconds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intro | 1:32 | 92 |
| 2 | Balance | 3:18 | 198 |
| 3 | Lagos Rain | 3:45 | 225 |
| 4 | Slow Evenings | 2:56 | 176 |
| 5 | Overtime | 3:24 | 204 |
| 6 | Closing Time | 4:10 | 250 |
- Total = 92 + 198 + 225 + 176 + 204 + 250 = 1,145 seconds = 19:05
- Average = 1,145 ÷ 6 = 190.8 seconds ≈ 3:11
- Longest: Closing Time (4:10). Shortest: Intro (1:32).
- Six tracks under 30 minutes, so most stores would treat it as an EP.
- Vinyl: the most even split in running order is tracks 1–3 (8:35) and tracks 4–6 (10:30) — comfortably short for a 12-inch record. Sides this short may also suit other formats or speeds — ask your pressing plant.
What does this result mean?
Total runtime is what listeners see on the album page and what a pressing plant or duplicator will ask for. Average track length is a quick read on pacing: an average well under three minutes suggests a tight, playlist-friendly project, while an average over five minutes points to longer, more immersive songs. Neither is right or wrong — it depends on the genre and the story you want to tell.
The longest and shortest tracks help you sanity-check sequencing. An interlude at 0:48 is fine; an interlude that accidentally reads 8:48 usually means a typo or an unedited bounce.
Vinyl side lengths
Groove space on a record is finite. The longer a side runs, the closer together the grooves have to be cut, which usually means a quieter cut and less room for heavy bass. As typical guidance for a 12-inch LP at 33⅓ rpm:
| Side length | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Up to about 18 minutes | Comfortable for most music, including bass-heavy genres |
| About 18–22 minutes | Often workable, but expect a lower cutting level; talk to your mastering or cutting engineer |
| Over about 22 minutes | Beyond typical guidance; consider a double LP, 45 rpm, or a shorter sequence |
These are rules of thumb, not hard limits. Quiet, acoustic material can often run longer; loud, bass-heavy Afrobeats, amapiano or hip-hop may need shorter sides to sound its best.
CD length
If your total is under 74 minutes you fit any standard CD. Between 74 and 80 minutes you need an 80-minute disc, which most manufacturers now support — confirm before you send masters. Over 80 minutes means two discs or a shorter running order.
Important limitations
- Gaps between songs: the tool adds the track lengths you enter. It does not add the silence between tracks on a CD or the lead-in and run-out grooves on vinyl, so physical run times can be slightly longer.
- Vinyl guidance is approximate: the right side length depends on loudness, bass content, stereo width and the plant’s equipment. Always follow your cutting engineer’s advice.
- Store rules vary: the single/EP/album label is a common rule of thumb, not an official definition. Distributors and stores can apply their own criteria and change them over time.
- Whole seconds only: lengths are entered to the nearest second. Over a long album, rounding can move the total by a few seconds.
- The tool does not read audio files — it only adds the numbers you type in.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an album be?
There is no fixed rule. Many albums land somewhere between about 30 and 60 minutes, but plenty of successful projects are shorter or longer. Decide based on your songs, your audience and how you plan to release them. Our guide to albums, EPs and singles explains the trade-offs.
What is the difference between an EP and an album by length?
A widely used rule of thumb is that a release of four to six tracks totalling under 30 minutes is an EP, and seven or more tracks or more than 30 minutes is an album. Distributors and stores can apply slightly different criteria, so check with yours before you upload.
How many minutes fit on one side of a vinyl record?
For a 12-inch LP at 33⅓ rpm, around 18–22 minutes per side is commonly quoted as typical guidance, with shorter sides giving a louder, fuller cut. Bass-heavy music often benefits from sides at the shorter end. Your cutting engineer will give you the final answer for your master.
Why is my vinyl split uneven?
The calculator keeps your running order and cannot split a song across two sides, so it chooses the break point that makes the longer side as short as possible. If the split is very lopsided, try re-sequencing or moving a shorter track to the other side.
Can I enter a track as 3.5 minutes?
No — enter 3 minutes and 30 seconds instead. Minutes and seconds must be whole numbers and seconds must be between 0 and 59. This avoids the common mistake of reading 3.5 as “three minutes five seconds”.
Does this include the gaps between songs?
No. It adds up only the track lengths you enter. If your CD or vinyl master has deliberate gaps between songs, add them to the relevant tracks or allow a little extra time.
