How to Convert Audio Files Online
Audio files come in many formats, and not every device or platform supports every one. Converting between formats lets you play your audio anywhere, reduce file sizes, or prepare files for editing.
Audio formats explained
MP3 — the most widely supported lossy format. Works on virtually every device and platform. Good balance of quality and file size at 192-320 kbps.
WAV — uncompressed audio. Perfect quality but very large files (about 10 MB per minute of stereo audio). The standard format for audio editing.
AAC — Apple's preferred lossy format. Slightly better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate. Used in iTunes, YouTube, and most streaming services.
OGG (Vorbis) — an open-source lossy format. Similar quality to AAC, commonly used in games and web applications.
FLAC — lossless compression. Preserves perfect audio quality while reducing file size by about 50-60% compared to WAV. Popular for music archiving.
When to convert
| From | To | Why |
|---|---|---|
| WAV | MP3 | Reduce file size for sharing or streaming |
| FLAC | MP3 | Make files compatible with older devices |
| MP3 | WAV | Prepare for editing (avoid re-compressing) |
| M4A/AAC | MP3 | Compatibility with non-Apple devices |
| Any format | OGG | For web projects or games |
How to convert audio online
- Upload your audio file — select a file in any supported format (MP3, WAV, AAC, OGG, FLAC, M4A, WebM).
- Choose the output format and quality — select your target format and bitrate. Higher bitrates mean better quality but larger files.
- Download the converted file — click Convert and download the result.
Understanding bitrate
Bitrate measures how much data is used per second of audio. Higher bitrate = better quality = larger file.
| Bitrate | Quality | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 128 kbps | Acceptable | Voice recordings, podcasts |
| 192 kbps | Good | General listening |
| 256 kbps | Very good | Music, careful listening |
| 320 kbps | Excellent | Archiving lossy, best MP3 quality |
For most purposes, 192-256 kbps is the sweet spot — good enough that most people cannot tell the difference from the original, while keeping files manageable.
Tips
- Do not convert lossy to lossy — converting MP3 to AAC (or vice versa) recompresses the audio, adding quality loss on top of quality loss. If you need a different lossy format, go back to the original WAV or FLAC source if you have it.
- Use WAV for editing — if you are going to edit the audio (trimming, mixing, adding effects), convert to WAV first. Edit in WAV, then export to your final format.
- Match the platform — check what format your target platform expects. Most accept MP3. Podcasting platforms typically want MP3 at 128-192 kbps.
- Keep your originals — always keep the highest-quality version of your audio. You can always convert down from a lossless original, but you cannot recover quality from a compressed file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does converting audio reduce quality?
Converting to WAV or FLAC is lossless — no quality loss. Converting to MP3, AAC, or OGG applies lossy compression. At 256-320 kbps, the quality difference is imperceptible to most listeners.
What is the best audio format?
There is no single best format. MP3 is the most compatible. AAC sounds slightly better than MP3 at the same bitrate. FLAC is lossless for archiving. WAV is uncompressed and universal for editing.
Can I convert multiple files at once?
Yes. Upload multiple files and they will be converted sequentially. Download them individually or as a ZIP.
Are my audio files uploaded to a server?
No. All processing happens in your browser. Your files stay on your device.