FLAC vs WAV: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
FLAC and WAV sound identical — both are lossless. FLAC is about half the size and carries tags and cover art; WAV is uncompressed and is what audio editors and hardware samplers expect. Archive in FLAC, work in WAV.
FLAC vs WAV Side by Side
| FLAC | WAV | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | FLAC: Free Lossless Audio Codec | WAV: Waveform Audio File Format |
| File extension | FLAC: .flac | WAV: .wav |
| How it stores data | FLAC: Lossless compression | WAV: Uncompressed PCM |
| File size | FLAC: large (lossless) | WAV: large (lossless) |
| Created by | FLAC: Xiph.Org Foundation, 2001 | WAV: Microsoft and IBM, 1991 |
| Best for | FLAC: archiving CDs and high-resolution music | WAV: recording, editing, mastering, anything that will be processed again |
| Watch out | FLAC: files are five times larger than MP3, and iTunes does not import it | WAV: about 10 MB per minute of CD-quality stereo |
| Opens with | FLAC: VLC, foobar2000, Windows Media Player, Android, recent iPhones (Files app) | WAV: every audio player and editor on Windows, macOS, Linux and phones |
Choose FLAC When
- Archiving a music collection
- Lossless listening with proper tags and artwork
- Saving disk space without losing anything
Choose WAV When
- Recording and editing in a DAW
- Samples, loops and files for hardware
- Software that does not read FLAC
Convert Between FLAC and WAV
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, FLAC or WAV?
FLAC and WAV sound identical — both are lossless. FLAC is about half the size and carries tags and cover art; WAV is uncompressed and is what audio editors and hardware samplers expect. Archive in FLAC, work in WAV.
When should I use FLAC?
Archiving a music collection. Lossless listening with proper tags and artwork. Saving disk space without losing anything.
When should I use WAV?
Recording and editing in a DAW. Samples, loops and files for hardware. Software that does not read 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 WAV?
WAV stores sound exactly as it was recorded, with no compression. It is the default format of audio editors, recorders and sample libraries.
Can I convert between FLAC and WAV?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert FLAC to WAV, or Convert WAV to FLAC with the converter linked on this page.