MP3 vs WAV: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
WAV is the uncompressed original, about 10 MB per minute; MP3 is roughly a tenth of that with a small, usually inaudible loss. Use WAV while recording and editing, MP3 for the finished file people listen to.
MP3 vs WAV Side by Side
| MP3 | WAV | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MP3: MPEG-1 Audio Layer III | WAV: Waveform Audio File Format |
| File extension | MP3: .mp3 | WAV: .wav |
| How it stores data | MP3: Lossy compression | WAV: Uncompressed PCM |
| File size | MP3: small (lossy) | WAV: large (lossless) |
| Created by | MP3: Fraunhofer Society / MPEG, 1993 | WAV: Microsoft and IBM, 1991 |
| Best for | MP3: music and podcasts that must play on any device | WAV: recording, editing, mastering, anything that will be processed again |
| Watch out | MP3: some detail is lost for good, most noticeably below 128 kbps | WAV: about 10 MB per minute of CD-quality stereo |
| Opens with | MP3: every phone, computer, car stereo and media player | WAV: every audio player and editor on Windows, macOS, Linux and phones |
Choose MP3 When
- Listening, sharing and uploading
- Podcasts and music libraries
- Any device with limited space
Choose WAV When
- Recording, mixing and mastering
- Files that will be edited or converted again
- Samples and sound effects
Convert Between MP3 and WAV
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, MP3 or WAV?
WAV is the uncompressed original, about 10 MB per minute; MP3 is roughly a tenth of that with a small, usually inaudible loss. Use WAV while recording and editing, MP3 for the finished file people listen to.
When should I use MP3?
Listening, sharing and uploading. Podcasts and music libraries. Any device with limited space.
When should I use WAV?
Recording, mixing and mastering. Files that will be edited or converted again. Samples and sound effects.
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.
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 MP3 and WAV?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert MP3 to WAV, or Convert WAV to MP3 with the converter linked on this page.