Audio format comparison
Different audio formats offer different trade-offs between file size, quality, and compatibility. Here is how the most common formats compare.
| Format | Type | Quality | ~Size / min | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAV | Uncompressed | Lossless | 10 MB | Editing, archiving |
| FLAC | Compressed | Lossless | 5 MB | Archiving, audiophiles |
| MP3 | Compressed | Lossy | 1 MB | General playback |
| OGG | Compressed | Lossy | 1 MB | Web, gaming |
| AAC | Compressed | Lossy | 1 MB | Streaming, Apple devices |
| WebM | Compressed | Lossy (Opus) | 0.8 MB | Web, voice, low latency |
When to use each format
WAV for editing and production
WAV files store uncompressed PCM audio, preserving every detail of the original recording. Use WAV when you plan to edit, mix, or further process the audio. The large file size is the trade-off for zero quality loss.
MP3 for universal compatibility
MP3 is the most widely supported audio format. Virtually every device, player, and platform can handle it. Choose MP3 at 128-192 kbps for general listening where file size matters more than studio quality.
FLAC for lossless archiving
FLAC compresses audio without losing any data. Files are roughly half the size of WAV but decode to the exact same waveform. Ideal for archiving original recordings or for audiophile listeners.
OGG / WebM for web and voice
Ogg Vorbis and WebM (Opus) are open formats optimized for the web. Opus in particular excels at low bitrates, making it a top choice for voice messages, podcasts, and real-time communication.
How audio conversion works
Audio conversion is the process of changing an audio file from one format to another. At its core, every audio file is a sequence of numerical samples that represent the air pressure changes of a sound wave over time. The sample rate determines how many of these snapshots are taken each second, and the bit depth determines the precision of each snapshot.
When you convert between formats, the converter first decodes the source file back to its raw audio samples. Then it re-encodes those samples into the target format. If you are converting to a lossless format like WAV, no audio information is lost. If you are converting to a lossy format like MP3 or WebM Opus, the encoder uses psychoacoustic models to discard audio details that are less perceptible to human hearing, resulting in smaller files.
This tool performs the entire conversion inside your browser using the Web Audio API. Your audio file never leaves your device. The browser decodes the source file, processes it through an OfflineAudioContext to resample and remix channels, then encodes the result into your chosen format. For WAV output, the raw PCM samples are written directly into a RIFF container. For WebM, the browser's built-in MediaRecorder encodes the audio using the Opus codec.
Changing the sample rate affects both file size and the frequency range that can be represented. A 44.1 kHz sample rate can reproduce frequencies up to about 22 kHz, which covers the full range of human hearing. Lower sample rates like 16 kHz are sufficient for speech but will cut off higher frequencies. The channel setting lets you convert stereo recordings to mono, which halves the data and is useful for voice notes and podcasts where spatial audio is not needed.