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WAV to FLAC Converter

Compress a WAV recording or CD rip into FLAC. The sound stays identical and the file gets about half as big.

🗜️ Lossless compression · About half the size

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File handling: your audio is uploaded to our server only to run the conversion and is not kept for any other use. Convert only audio you own or have permission to use. Read the privacy policy.

Why use WAV to FLAC Converter?

Truly lossless

A bit-for-bit identical result when you decode the FLAC again.

About half the size

Free up disk space without touching quality.

Temporary server processing

Your file is only used for the conversion and then removed. The note below the converter has the details.

Tag friendly

FLAC can hold titles, artists and artwork, which plain WAV handles poorly.

How it works

Step 01

Select the WAV

Choose a recording or CD rip from your device.

Step 02

Convert to FLAC

The audio is compressed without any loss.

Step 03

Download the FLAC

Store it in your archive or add it to your library.

The tidy way to store WAV files

WAV and FLAC explained

WAV holds uncompressed audio, which is simple and exact but large. FLAC, the Free Lossless Audio Codec, was created by Josh Coalson and first released in 2001. It compresses audio the way a ZIP file compresses documents, so decoding returns exactly what went in.

Why archivists prefer FLAC

A WAV archive eats storage. Moving the same recordings to FLAC frees roughly half the space and loses nothing, which makes it a safe format for long-term storage of CD rips, field recordings and finished masters.

How much you save

Expect FLAC to be roughly half the size of the WAV. A loud rock track may save a little less, while solo piano or a voice recording may save more. For a three-minute CD-quality track, 32 MB typically drops to around 15 to 20 MB.

Tags and cover art

WAV has limited support for metadata. FLAC was built to carry tags, so library software can show titles, artists and covers properly. That alone is a good reason to move a collection of WAV rips to FLAC.

When to stay with WAV

Some video editors, hardware samplers and older DAWs only accept WAV. Keep a WAV for working in those, and use FLAC for the archive copy.

Keep one folder of FLAC masters. Make WAV or MP3 copies from it whenever a project needs them.

Frequently asked questions

Does converting WAV to FLAC lose any quality?+

No. FLAC is lossless. Decoding the FLAC gives back exactly the audio that went in, sample for sample.

How much smaller will the FLAC be?+

Typically 50 to 60 percent of the WAV, though it varies with the music. Dense, loud recordings compress less than quiet or sparse ones. A 32 MB WAV usually becomes roughly 15 to 20 MB.

What is the difference between FLAC and WAV?+

Both are lossless in practice. WAV is uncompressed and simple, with weak metadata support. FLAC is compressed, smaller and built to carry tags and cover art.

Will it play on my iPhone or in Apple Music?+

FLAC playback arrived in iOS 11, but Apple’s own music library has traditionally preferred Apple Lossless. Many third-party players handle FLAC well.

Can I get my WAV back from the FLAC later?+

Yes, exactly. Converting the FLAC to WAV returns the same audio samples, so FLAC is a safe long-term archive.

How long does it take?+

Short tracks take seconds. FLAC compresses quickly, so upload and download are usually the slowest steps.

What is the file size limit?+

Files larger than 50 MB are not accepted. At CD quality that is under five minutes of stereo WAV, so this suits single tracks and short recordings.

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