Convert audio to WAV
Convert video or audio files to uncompressed 16-bit PCM WAV in your browser. No upload, no quality loss on the encode step.
Your file is processed entirely in this browser tab. It is never uploaded, stored or seen by anyone.
To convert a file to WAV, drop it into the converter above and choose WAV. The audio is decoded and written as uncompressed 16-bit PCM at 44.1kHz. Because WAV is uncompressed, this encode step adds no further quality loss — but the resulting file is roughly ten times larger than an MP3.
How it works
- Choose your file
Drag a file onto the converter, or click to browse. Nothing is uploaded — the file is read directly by your browser.
- Convert to WAV
Press Convert. FFmpeg runs as WebAssembly inside the tab and shows real progress as it works.
- Download the result
When it finishes, download the WAV file. It is created in your browser's memory and never sent anywhere.
Your file never leaves your device — conversion runs entirely in this browser tab.
About WAV
WAV stores audio as raw uncompressed samples. There is no encoder making quality decisions, which means converting to WAV never degrades the signal further — but it also means it cannot recover anything a previous lossy encode already discarded. A WAV made from a 128kbps MP3 sounds exactly like that MP3, in a file ten times the size.
That makes WAV the right choice in two situations and the wrong one everywhere else. It is right when the file is going into an editor, a mastering chain, or a transcription engine, all of which prefer uncompressed input. It is wrong for distribution, where it wastes bandwidth for no audible benefit.
This converter outputs 16-bit PCM at 44.1kHz — CD standard, and the sample rate almost every tool expects. 24-bit and 48kHz are common in production workflows but only worth using when the whole chain supports them.
| Codec | PCM signed 16-bit little-endian |
|---|---|
| Container | RIFF/WAVE |
| Typical bitrate | 1,411 kbps at 44.1kHz stereo |
| Compatibility | Universal, but rarely used for delivery |
| Best for | Editing, mastering, transcription, archival |
Limits you should know about
Because conversion happens on your device rather than on a server, the ceiling is your browser's memory rather than our disk space. Files under 50MB work reliably everywhere. Desktop browsers stretch to roughly 200MB; mobile browsers, and iOS Safari in particular, cut out closer to 40MB.
Speed is the other trade. Running FFmpeg through WebAssembly is 5–10× slower than a desktop app, so a conversion that takes thirty seconds in a desktop application can take several minutes here. The converter shows a real estimate before it starts, and the tab has to stay open while it runs.
If your file is beyond those limits, trim it first, or use a desktop application such as HandBrake or FFmpeg directly — neither has a size ceiling.
Common questions
Is WAV better quality than MP3?
WAV is uncompressed, so it preserves whatever it is given. But converting an MP3 to WAV does not improve it — the data MP3 discarded is gone. WAV is only higher quality when the source was lossless to begin with.
Why is the WAV file so large?
Uncompressed stereo audio at 44.1kHz and 16 bits runs at about 10MB per minute. That is roughly ten times an MP3 at 192kbps. It is the cost of storing every sample rather than an approximation.
What sample rate should I use?
44.1kHz is standard for music and works everywhere. 48kHz is standard in video production. This converter outputs 44.1kHz, which every editor and transcription service accepts.