FLAC vs MP3: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
FLAC keeps the full recording; MP3 throws part of it away to be about five times smaller. On good equipment a 320 kbps MP3 is hard to tell from FLAC, but an MP3 can never be turned back into the original. Keep FLAC as the master, use MP3 for the phone and the car.
FLAC vs MP3 Side by Side
| FLAC | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | FLAC: Free Lossless Audio Codec | MP3: MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| File extension | FLAC: .flac | MP3: .mp3 |
| How it stores data | FLAC: Lossless compression | MP3: Lossy compression |
| File size | FLAC: large (lossless) | MP3: small (lossy) |
| Created by | FLAC: Xiph.Org Foundation, 2001 | MP3: Fraunhofer Society / MPEG, 1993 |
| Best for | FLAC: archiving CDs and high-resolution music | MP3: music and podcasts that must play on any device |
| Watch out | FLAC: files are five times larger than MP3, and iTunes does not import it | MP3: some detail is lost for good, most noticeably below 128 kbps |
| Opens with | FLAC: VLC, foobar2000, Windows Media Player, Android, recent iPhones (Files app) | MP3: every phone, computer, car stereo and media player |
Choose FLAC When
- An archive you will never need to re-rip
- Listening on good headphones or speakers
- Source files for future conversions
Choose MP3 When
- Phones, cars and players with limited storage
- Sharing and streaming
- Devices that do not play FLAC
Convert Between FLAC and MP3
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, FLAC or MP3?
FLAC keeps the full recording; MP3 throws part of it away to be about five times smaller. On good equipment a 320 kbps MP3 is hard to tell from FLAC, but an MP3 can never be turned back into the original. Keep FLAC as the master, use MP3 for the phone and the car.
When should I use FLAC?
An archive you will never need to re-rip. Listening on good headphones or speakers. Source files for future conversions.
When should I use MP3?
Phones, cars and players with limited storage. Sharing and streaming. Devices that do not play FLAC.
What is FLAC?
FLAC compresses audio to about half the size of WAV without losing a single bit: decoding it gives back the original recording exactly. It is the standard format for lossless music collections.
What is MP3?
MP3 is the most widely supported audio format there is: it cuts a recording to roughly a tenth of its CD size by removing sound most people cannot hear. If a device plays audio at all, it plays MP3.
Can I convert between FLAC and MP3?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert FLAC to MP3, or Convert MP3 to FLAC with the converter linked on this page.